Week of May 26 - June 1, 2008
Survey: Fliers skipping trips due to hassles of air travel - USA Today
Consumers chose not to take 41 million trips over the last 12 months because flying is too much of a hassle, according to a new Travel Industry Association study.
The more than 100,000 trips a day that don't happen because of the hassle factor costs the U.S. economy an estimated $26.5 billion in foregone travel spending, said TIA president Roger Dow Thursday.
The research was done for the TIA by two polling firms, Peter D. Hart Research Associates and The Winston Group, through a survey of 1,003 travelers who made at least one round trip in the previous 12 months.
Website Editor: Applying a little arithmetic, this means 36.5 million annual passengers or 4.5 % of potential trips nationwide were not taken. Applying the percentage loss uniformly across the country, the Los Angeles region's airports lost 4.0 MAP.
Airports fast-track rail projects - USA Today
Even after Tampa International Airport converted two economy parking lots to six-story garages, congestion remained a nightmare. But help might be on the way in Tampa — and in many other airports around the nation.
The airport set aside a 3.5-mile corridor on airport property for a light-rail system that it wants built to ease traffic.
Many airports are finding themselves in a similar situation and are looking to new rail systems to ease roadway congestion and also to cut pollution by giving passengers and workers an alternative to driving.
In at least a dozen cities including Dallas, Denver and Seattle, transit agencies are building or planning rail lines that would connect some of the nation's busiest airports to downtown areas up to 25 miles away. That could more than double the number of airports with rail service and make getting to an airport easier.
About 10 rail systems now take passengers from city centers to airport terminals, usually in older cities such as Boston, Chicago and Cleveland. In other cities such as Los Angeles and Baltimore, rail lines stop a few miles from an airport where passengers board a free shuttle bus to terminals.
DHL seeks deal with rival UPS to ship its air packages - LA Times
DHL, the struggling express shipping unit of German postal service Deutsche Post, wants United Parcel Service Inc. to carry some of its air packages in North America. The collaboration between the rivals would give UPS a hefty new revenue stream and help DHL cut costs.
UPS said the contract would mostly involve the transport of DHL packages between airports in North America -- not the pickup or delivery of DHL packages to customers. UPS said the deal would be similar to its agreement with the U.S. Postal Service.
Website Editor: Some residents near March Inland Port hope this will put an end to DHL's noisy nighttime flights over their homes.
San Bernardino International Airport OKs hangar proposal - PE.com
San Bernardino International Airport officials approved an initial proposal Wednesday to build a $9 million hangar to house corporate jets.
Private aircraft fueling and hospitality firm Million Air Interlink is in negotiations with a large company that would occupy the 65,000-square-foot hangar.
L.A. mayor to lead delegation to Israel - LA Times
The third overseas trip by Antonio Villaraigosa since taking office is expected to focus on security and green technologies.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will travel to Israel next month for a weeklong mission devoted to security, counter-terrorism and green technologies, aides announced Tuesday.
Villaraigosa's itinerary calls for him to sign an agreement to bring experts from Ben Gurion International Airport to review security at Los Angeles International Airport and other city-owned airports.
The mayor also is expected to sign an accord calling for Los Angeles to provide guidance about green measures taken at its port in exchange for expertise on how to better secure the mammoth facility in San Pedro, one of nation's busiest.
City officials said they also want to expand their relationship with the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism, which would provide training for the Los Angeles Police Department and other local law enforcement agencies.
More flights may aid airport in Palmdale - Los Angeles Daily News
Struggling to fill flights a year after commercial operations resumed at the Palmdale airport, officials say they now want to double the number of daily flights to four and [substitute] turboprop planes instead of jets.
While passengers favor the airport's easy access, fast check-in and quick security-screening time, the airport must boost connecting flights to remain commercially viable, officials said.
United Airlines began flying 50-seat jets between Palmdale and San Francisco in June 2007, but flights on average have been less than a third full during the first 11 months.
LAWA is awaiting word on whether United will agree to the proposed changes and hopes to hear back within two weeks.
The slow start to the commercial flight service in Palmdale highlights the continuing challenges for officials trying to spread air traffic across the region to ease bottlenecks at Los Angeles International Airport.
The service is supported by a $4.6 million incentive package put together by LAWA, the city of Palmdale and others, with about $2 million for underwriting losses incurred providing the service over 18 months.
A bus service began in April to ferry fliers from Van Nuys and Santa Clarita to the Palmdale airport.
Website editor: Palmdale served 5,138 passengers in the first three months of 2008, a miniscule fraction of the region's 20 million air passengers during that period.
Week of May 19 - May 25, 2008
LAXpectations
The spring 2008 LAXpectations newsletter about Los Angeles International Airport's capital improvement program is online.
See also the May issue of LAX Connections with news about free shoe shines, a cellphone waiting lot, new air service and more.
McClellan-Palomar Airport renovations continue - The Encinitas Coast News
Work on a new terminal at McClellan-Palomar Airport is under way. Renovations at the airport, located in the city of Carlsbad but run by the county of San Diego, began late last year and are scheduled to wrap up later this year.
The new $26 million, 18,000-square-foot terminal will be six times larger than the existing one, which was built when the airport opened in 1958.
Three long-term parking lots are being renovated, and when completed will accommodate 700 cars and provide access to the terminal via a new elevator.
The old restaurant, a longtime fixture at the airport, closed and a 2,481-square-foot restaurant will be located in the new terminal.
A study called an "air service situation review" was commissioned by the Department of Public Works, which operates the county airport. The study considered increased traffic from commercial commuter aircraft and the effect it has had on the surrounding community.
Rumors of McClellan-Palomar becoming a larger commercial airport have been swirling for years. Traffic at the airport has increased, but the [4700-foot] runway cannot accommodate larger commercial jets, officials have said.
Currently two commuter airlines, United Express and a new addition this week, Vision Airlines, offer flights to and from Palomar Airport.
Traveler satisfaction at LAX is down, survey says - Daily Breeze
Traveler satisfaction with airports is generally down, and LAX is no different, scoring in the middle of the range in a J.D. Power survey released today that found airport satisfaction down 14 percent compared to 2007.
The study, now in its eighth year, ranks big airports with 30 million or more passengers per year, medium airports with 10-30 million passengers per year and airports with fewer than 10 million passengers per year. It looks at six factors: airport accessibility; baggage claim; check-in/baggage check process; terminal facilities; security check; and food and retail services.
Among medium-sized airports, San Diego International scored 678, slightly ahead of the segment average of 673.
Among smaller airports, Orange County's John Wayne Airport scored 689, a point ahead of Long Beach, 687, where the segment average was 684. Burbank's Bob Hope Airport scored 674.
Passenger volume at LAX, Ontario and Palmdale expected to be level with last year - LA Times
An increase in foreign flights is expected to counterbalance a decrease in domestic air travel.
Almost 20 million passengers are expected to pass through Los Angeles International Airport during the summer travel season, crowding terminals and filling flights to near capacity, LAX officials said Tuesday.
Overall, however, passenger volumes at LAX will be about the same as last summer as rising ticket prices and the nation's economic downturn cut demand for domestic air travel. The reduction is expected to be balanced by increasing foreign flights.
"We are looking for a flat year this summer," said Deputy Airport Director Paul Haney. "In the face of record fuel costs, the airlines have begun to trim their flight schedules and this is resulting in fewer seats and higher airfares."
John Wayne awarded for avoiding runway accidents - Daily Pilot
John Wayne Airport was chosen out of 73 airports from California, Arizona, Hawaii and Nevada as the recipient of a safety award for working to limit close calls on the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration named JWA as one of 20 airports that had problems with runway incursions — when an airplane comes too close to another on the runway — late last year, but they were given the Airport Safety Award for reducing these potential hazards, administration spokesman Ian Gregor said.
Orange County to tap budget reserves to avoid cutbacks, layoffs - LA Times
Orange County is poised to avoid layoffs and severe cuts in government services in the coming year, according to preliminary budget documents made public Monday.
County officials are proposing a $6.6-billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, a growth of about $700 million over the current year. Though the turbulent economy has threatened tax revenue, the county will be able to muddle through by tapping about $20 million in reserves.
For the most part, county departments will be held to the same level of spending as in the previous year. The growth in the budget will come primarily from spending on construction projects to upgrade John Wayne Airport and to restructure the program that distributes property tax revenue to cities.
The OC Register says there will be reduced funds for juvenile probabtion camps, social services and health care.
Website Editor: Why spend money, that is needed elsewhere, on a half-billion dollar project for a 300,000 square foot third terminal at JWA when the county has no plans to utilize it to increase air service?
JWA traffic continues to slide
John Wayne airport served 9.6 percent fewer passengers in April than in the same month last year. For the calendar year to date, traffic was down by 6.4 percent.
April was the sixth straight month in which the airport served fewer passengers than in the preceding year.
Fewer flights were offered as the number of air carrier operations were cut by 6.4 percent in April
The Orange County airport has experienced the region's largest percentage decline this year. The decision by airport management and the Board of Supervisors to cut the number of seats allocated to airlines appears to us to be a factor.
With the loss of Aloha's service to Hawaii and Reno in April, JWA now serves only 19 non-stop destinations, the smallest number in many years. The O.C. airport has been very slow to admit new air carriers from its waiting list and repeatedly has denied existing carriers such as Southwest the right to fly additional seats.
Santa Monica's flight fight is being closely watched - LA Times
The city's effort to ban jets that land at high speeds could be adopted elsewhere. The FAA has been granted an injunction to stop the rule from taking effect.
Recent-model Gulfstreams are the Ferraris of private jets, with prices reaching up to $50 million each. Their sleek fuselages contain some of the most advanced control and navigation systems available.
The twin-engine aircraft and others like it have become increasingly popular across the country -- but not at Santa Monica Airport. There, local leaders and the Federal Aviation Administration are locked in a legal battle over the city's unprecedented attempt to ban certain high-performance jets for safety reasons.
The dispute is being closely watched by the aviation industry and national organizations that represent charter services, jet time-shares, aviation-related businesses and other aircraft owners.
If Santa Monica prevails in court, opponents fear other cities will impose similar restrictions and divert flights to alternative airports that already are grappling with capacity issues.
JetBlue Suspends Expansion To Los Angeles, Citing Fuel Costs - WSJ
JetBlue is suspending plans to start serving Los Angeles International Airport, saying the skyrocketing price of jet fuel is making the cost of starting service at a new airport unaffordable.
JetBlue passengers who bought tickets to Los Angeles, where service was expected to start later this month, are being rebooked on flights to nearby Long Beach Airport, which JetBlue already serves.
Week of May 12 - May 18, 2008
Website is back on lineThose who follow this website regularly may have noticed a break in coverage while Editor took a vacation in Turkey. Attached is a my photo taken in the palatial Turkish Airlines Business Class Lounge at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport.
In the next couple of days the website will be updated to cover some of the most relevent information that we missed, and to bring you material that has not been reported elsewhere.
It's good to be back.
Len
So Cal regional air travel off in 1st quarter
Air travel in the Southern California region was off by 1.8 percent in the three months ending March 31, 2008 when compared to the prior year.
| Airport |
YTD
March 2008 |
YTD
March 2007 |
Perchent
change |
| LAX |
14,217,200 |
14,351,133 |
-
1.0 |
| SNA |
2,229,091 |
2,352,990 |
-
5.3 |
| ONT |
1,656,366 |
1,598,848 |
+
3.6 |
| BUR |
1,360,627 |
1,320,763 |
+
3.0 |
| LGB |
640,048 |
659,395 |
-
2.9 |
| PSP |
591,078 |
589,491 |
+
0.3 |
| Total |
20,694,034 |
20,872,620 |
-
1.8 |
[JWA] Airport’s renovations draw praise, concern - Daily Pilot
New airport construction slated to begin Aug. 1 pleases some, but others are afraid of its potential to cause more flights over their houses.
A third terminal with six gates and two new parking structures are designed to help John Wayne Airport deal with an increase in passenger traffic over the next few years, but local anti-airport expansion groups worry the new infrastructure may spur more airline flights.
“We probably wouldn’t go up to [the negotiated limit of] 10.8 million because we like to have some room, but I would definitely imagine that we would at least be up to 10.3 by the end of 2011,” said Jenny Wedge, an airport spokeswoman.
County Supervisor John Moorlach said he is working with as many local groups as he can — including Stop Polluting Our Newport, Airfair and the Airport Working Group — to create a strategy for stopping the airport from drawing more than 10.8 million annual passengers.
“We need to do our best to present a unified front and renew the settlement agreement as it is,” Moorlach said, citing his commitment to finding alternatives to airport expansion such as ground transportation to other regional airports such as Ontario and Palmdale.
[Long Beach] Airport Noise Ordinance Affirmed Again - Gazette Newspapers
In a largely symbolic move, the [Long Beach] City Council reiterated its support for the Long Beach Airport Noise Ordinance, which regulates flights into and out of the airport, including weight standards for flight slots. The issue was sparked by a comment from JetBlue CEO Dave Berger.
While unveiling new Embraer E190 aircraft JetBlue plans to fly on several of its Long Beach routes, Berger noted that the new planes are quieter than those being flown in the commuter slots — which are restricted to planes weighing 75,000 pounds or less.
The Emraer E190, which carries 100 passengers, exceeds that weight.
The suggestion that the city might consider changing the ordinance brought a swift response from Fourth District Councilman Patrick O’Donnell who said any changes to the ordinance could risk its invalidation.
The ordinance, put into place in 1990 as part of a lawsuit settlement, restricts the amount of total noise produced by various categories of airplanes. Currently, those restrictions have been translated into a maximum of 41 commercial jet flights a day with an additional 25 commuter jet flights allowed — and the definition of a commuter jet is one of less than 75,000 pounds.
No Air-Fare Wars at JWA - OC Business Journal
While other SoCal airports offer low-fare competition, John Wayne Airport—where flights are limited by the noise agreement between the airport and Newport Beach—remains the high-price alternative. One-way flights to Austin next month from LAX on Southwest and from Long Beach on JetBlue are offered at $79. The best price from John Wayne on American is $105, says Len Kranser of eltoroairport.org. And higher relative pricing is presumably how JWA was able to stay under its 10.3-million passenger cap for the 12 months ended March 31. A brisk summer had the airport on pace to exceed the cap, but after airport officials directed the airlines to “manage their passenger levels,” year-over-year traffic declined for five straight months even as it rose at other regional airports; JWA finished the fiscal year at 9.9 million passengers ...
PR spending dominates Great Park conservancy's budget - OC Register
After seven years of brainstorming, banquets, community forums and informational newsletters, the nonprofit conservancy helping transform the tired El Toro Marine base into a thriving Great Park has put aside just $570,000 – for a botanical garden.
The garden will likely cost at least 100 times as much, according to the nonprofit's chairman.
The traditional mission of private conservatories is to raise big bucks for the care and feeding of landmark parks. But the Foundation for the Great Park's main mission is publicity and public education.
The conservancy has raised $2.8 million since its founding in 2000, and spent $2.2 million, mostly on publicity and public education. The amount spent on its main mission has fallen below the bar set by the Better Business Bureau for the past two years, while fund-raising spending climbed sharply, tax returns show.
Tijuana Cross Border Airport study released
A report to the San Diego Regional Airport Authority forecasts that easy border crossing access from the U.S. to Tijuana International Airport could result in approximately 3.2 MAP of San Diego region travelers using TIJ in 2020.
The report predicts that TIJ is not likely to offer air service to any destination not already served by Lindbergh Field but the Mexican airport could serve some of the region's demand as the San Diego airport approaches its maximum capacity.
Week of April 28 - May 4, 2008
Bob Hope Airport off to a good new year
Bob Hope Airport served 431,289 passengers in February, an increase of 5.8 percent over February 2007.
Traffic for the first two months of 2007 was up 3.13 percent.
Top flight destinations - Federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics
Federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics data lists the top five air travel destinations from LAX as Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco International, Honolulu and New York's JFK airport. Each was the destination for over a million passengers in the past 12 months.
Phoenix was the top airport served from Orange County, Ontario and San Diego.
The top destination from Burbank was Oakland.
Long Beach traveler choose JetBlue to JFK over any other destination.
Public scoping meetings on LAX draft EIR
Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that operates Los Angeles International Airport, has scheduled two public scoping meetings in May to discuss the Notice of Preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the LAX Specific Plan Amendment Study.
The first meeting is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 7th, with presentations at 6:15 and 7:30 p.m. The second meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10th, with presentations at 9:15 and 10:30 a.m.
The meetings will be held in the Proud Bird Restaurant, 11022 Aviation Blvd., Westchester.
Big financial headache if El Toro Airport had been built - El Toro Info Site report
Had Measure W not passed in March 2002, we would not have the Great Park project - which is becoming a financial challenge in the city of Irvine. Instead, we would have the costlier El Toro Airport project and a bigger financial headache for the entire county.
By now, the airport project could have consumed up to $5 billion - unless it ran behind schedule or over estimates.
But where would OCX get the 38 million annual passengers upon which the county's original economic justification for the second airport was based?
Only recently has regional air travel recovered back to pre 911 levels. LAX still is seeing 5 million fewer passengers per year than it served in 2000. Ontario is operating 23 million annual passengers below what's projected as its eventual capacity.
If El Toro was open now, and a pro-El Toro Board of Supervisors was still in office, they might employ financial incentives to coax some airlines to move from John Wayne. Shrinking service at JWA and shifting flights to El Toro was part of the county's plan in both Environmental Impact Reports 563 and 573..
But, the county and its two airports would be burdened today with huge payments on additional debt while sharing approximately the same amount of business as we have with one O.C. airport.
O’Hare Airport expansion deadline moved to 2014 to beat Olympic rush - Chicago Tribune
An ambitious new fast-track timetable could enable Chicago to complete a $15 billion expansion of O’Hare International Airport two years before it anticipates hosting the 2016 Olympic Games. Challenges include the city's attempt to acquire properties under eminent domain laws, extending the airport's people mover system and building a satellite terminal.
Website Editor: Los Angeles competed with Chicago for the right to host the Olympics but lost out. Last year, L.A. Mayor Villaraigosa expressed the hope that more flights at Ontario Airport might help his city to win the selection process.
