Airports brace for fewer flights, passengers

[babylonsister]

Airports brace for fewer flights, passengers
By DAVID KOENIG Associated Press Writer


Aug 10th, 2008 | FORT WORTH, Texas -- From his office overlooking the runways of one of the nation's busiest airports, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport Chief Executive Jeffrey Fegan sees the slowdown coming this fall.

Airlines are cutting flights under the pressure of rising fuel costs, and that means fewer passengers and less money from parking and food concessions at DFW. For the first time in its 34-year history, the airport is freezing its budget and rethinking future expansion plans.

"We couldn't do that even after 9-11," Fegan says.

With the airline industry in a nosedive, airports are hitting turbulence: After years of growth, they are delaying capital projects, freezing hiring, and considering increases in everything from landing fees to parking. Concessionaires are hurting, and many expect to close.

The problems are greatest at secondary airports that are losing a bigger share of their flights and lack international service to shore up weak domestic traffic.

Airports in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Oakland, Calif., Columbus, Ohio, and elsewhere are expected to lose more than 10 percent of their scheduled service later this year as airlines eliminate flights.

more...

http://www.salon.com/wires/ap/business/2008/08/10/D92FJ19O0_airports_cutbacks/index.html

[TomInTib]

1. Better use those miles while you still can. nt

[dysfunctional press]

2. i wonder if that means that corrupt illinois politicos will be stuck with farmland near peotone...?

luckily for denny hastert- he cashed out on his investment after pushing a highway project for the proposed airport through congress that made the property he had recently purchased along it's route way more valuable.

[dbackjon]

5. I hope so

Airport's flight path takes it directly over the family farm - been in the family since homesteaded in 1841.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. Once again my theory is proven correct....

There is NO disaster like the disaster of a Republican administration.

WHEN will people learn?

[2Design]

6. talking to them - they still don't get it - intelligence is not one of their strong points n/t

[izquierdista]

4. Will the quality of service improve?

I didn't think so.

[kestrel91316]

7. I have flown twice in the last 8 months. BOTH TIMES

it took over 24 hours to get to my destination halfway across the US from where I am in So Cal.

Bad service is losing them business.

[DU9598]

8. Bring Back Regulation

It is far past time to renationalize the regulation of the passenger air service.