As many individuals and businesses continue to struggle through the pandemic one industry is beginning a comeback that some consider to be the 'front door' to economic development and recovery.

Members of the National Air Transportation Association will land at Meadows Field Airport Wednesday to meet with community leaders and discuss how rural airports are much more than a place to take off and land. Local officials say they lost 50% of their fuel sales during the pandemic and life flights involving organ transplants completely stopped.

The NATA is based in Washington DC and serves as a voice for small airfields nationwide, spotlighting what they say is the critical role that airports and the businesses that operate on their property offer in job recovery and emergency response.