LANSING (AP) Michigan airport executives said yesterday they"re worried about paying more for increased security costs at a time when fewer travelers are flying.

"It"s a vicious circle we"ve got to get ourselves out of," Jim Koslosky, aeronautics director of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, told the state House Transportation Committee.

Airports are spending more money to comply with new security requirements from the Federal Aviation Administration following the Sept. 11 hijackings of four commercial flights. At the same time, airlines are cutting down on flights because fewer people are flying.

Daniel Kerber, deputy director of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, said he expects the airport"s costs to increase by $500,000 for new security measures. Meanwhile, he estimates concession revenue is down 50 percent.

Kenneth Potts, director of the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, said he"s afraid the airport eventually will close because of the economic hit its taken since the attacks. He said he doesn"t know what the airport will do after its financial reserves run out in a year.

"If the public does not use it, we will lose it," Potts said. "We"ve said it before, but it has a lot more meaning now."

Airport executives also pointed out that airlines provide the security at passenger checkpoints. Executives said they"re worried about the high turnover of security guards who monitor travelers and luggage.

"We would all like to see airlines improve security," Koslosky said. "I would say it"s the weakest link."

Members of the Michigan National Guard will begin reporting to duty at Michigan"s 16 commercial airports today at Detroit Metro. The FAA were training guard members yesterday and today before they report for duty, Brig. Gen. Robert Taylor told the House committee.

Guard members, who will be armed with 9 mm pistols, will be monitoring and reinforcing checkpoint security, Taylor said.

Kerber said he doesn"t expect the National Guard to pull out of airports before they are replaced by the presence of another federal agency.

While federal legislation is providing some financial help for airlines since the attacks, Koslosky said airports won"t receive any of that assistance. He asked committee members to monitor air travel at Michigan"s 16 commercial airports.

Smaller commercial airports are in danger of losing service, Koslosky said. The Gerald R. Ford International airport in Grand Rapids already lost two US Airways flights and four Northwest flights because there weren"t enough passengers, he said.

Committee chairman Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac) asked Koslosky to keep members of the committee updated about air travel in Michigan.

"We know airports are doing everything they can to reassure the public," Gilbert said.