passengers for the first time; by 1968, airport usage had surpassed 250,000 passengers. That April, 1968 presidential candidate and Senator Robert F. Kennedy landed at Capital City Airport. Later that year, presidential candidate and Senator George McGovern also landed at the airport. In 1970, the Capital Region Airport Authority was created pursuant to Michigan Public Act Number 73. The following year, jurisdiction of Capital City Airport was transferred from the State of Michigan to the Airport Authority. The airport's first surveillance radar was installed in 1973. By 1977, the approach lighting system and instrument landing system for runway 10R were activated. The same year, Mason Jewett Field was purchased as a reliever airfield for Capital City Airport. A Michigan historical marker was erected at the terminal for local aviator Philip Orin Parmelee in 1978. From 1978 to 1991 fixed-base operator and aerial photography company White Star Photography purchased and operated from the Francis Aviation Complex. 1980s–1990s In 1980, a airport fire station was built. An air carrier terminal apron reconstruction followed in 1982. Between 1988 and 1990, runway 14/32 was decommissioned and became taxiway F. In January 1987, United Airlines announced it was ending flights between Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Lansing on April 5 after nearly 56 years of service. United Express, operated by Air Wisconsin, resumed the service to Chicago. In 1989, Thomas Schmidt was hired as Airport Manager, replacing Russ Brown, and airport usage surpassed 500,000 passengers for the first time. During the 1990s, the Francis Aviation Complex was demolished for airport expansion and compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. UPS Airlines began cargo service from Lansing in 1990. In 1992, a major renovation of the terminal building, designed by Greiner, Inc., included the addition of to the facility, began. The following year the public parking lot was reconstructed and a new airport surveillance radar (ASR-9) was activated. President Bill Clinton landed at the airport aboard Air Force One on July 22, 1999 to hold a forum on Medicare at Lansing Community College. 2000s Flight reductions During the 2000s, Lansing saw flights reduced from 35 to 12 a day. In May 2000 American Eagle Airlines ended its flights to Chicago–O'Hare, eliminating five daily flights and 23 positions at the Lansing airport. Chicago Express/ATA Connection Airlines ended service from Lansing to Midway International Airport (MDW) in 2001. In October 2003 US Airways ended daily flights to