According to the Post-Dispatch, Allegiant Air is ending its service to Las Vegas on January 3. This cancellation will once again leave the struggling airport with no passenger service. Allegiant cites stiff competition from other discount airlines using Lambert as the reason for the concellation.
Good riddance. Hopefully yet another airline failing at MidAmerica will make it crystal clear that the future of that facility is as a cargo hub, not a passenger airport.
Btw, shouldn't this be merged with the main MidAmerica thread?
Btw, shouldn't this be merged with the main MidAmerica thread?
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^ but ducky, how will we ever be like chicago if we can't support two passenger airports? 
^ We are not like Chicago and cannot support two passenger airports and if we want to grow like Chicago, the region better start finding methods to leverage its locaiton and assets for greater job growth. Using MidAmerica as a major air transport/cargo hub would be a nice start and a good move for a region that seems to just now be realizing that betting on the futures of Ford, GM, and Chrysler et al is not a good plan for fostering economic development or growth.
JMedwick wrote:Good riddance. Hopefully yet another airline failing at MidAmerica will make it crystal clear that the future of that facility is as a cargo hub, not a passenger airport.
Btw, shouldn't this be merged with the main MidAmerica thread?
^Yeah, after my initial post, I realized that this topic is as much about transportation as it is about news from the Metro East.
But now for a positive spin on the news: I suppose it can be said that there's plenty of room for growth at the both of the two "major" metro St Louis airports! Hey, maybe that can be the marketing strategy...
What happened to that cargo deal we made with a Chinese company or something like that?
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That cargo deal with the Chinese is with Lambert and the unused space at the Northpark industrial park.
I have a different take. Mid-America was built to save Scotts Air Force Base. I consider it brilliant political move when you look at it from that perspective. Economically, Scott Air Force Base has brought in a huge amount of investment, people and jobs since.
The difficulty with Mid-America is it will compete with Lambert for cargo service and only succeed by a heavy dose of Illinois subsidies. The region can't support that just as it can't support two passenger facilities.
The best for now might be an ever greater connection to Scotts Air Force Base. However, that will take some Illinois politicians to swallow the regionalism pill. Which might be better if Missouri would make stronger efforts to upgrade Lambert sooner. Then you have a strong regional airport, two successful corporate airports, and a very strong Air Force Base.
The difficulty with Mid-America is it will compete with Lambert for cargo service and only succeed by a heavy dose of Illinois subsidies. The region can't support that just as it can't support two passenger facilities.
The best for now might be an ever greater connection to Scotts Air Force Base. However, that will take some Illinois politicians to swallow the regionalism pill. Which might be better if Missouri would make stronger efforts to upgrade Lambert sooner. Then you have a strong regional airport, two successful corporate airports, and a very strong Air Force Base.
MidAmerica Airport, as a passanger airport, began before Sept. 01, when Lambert was in much greater use. MidAmerica Airport is also continuing its quest as a cargo hub. It does currently service cargo, receiving shipments from Bogota Colombia. ... and no, it's not cocaine.
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^That's funny Xing.
On the airport, Dredger is right in my opinion. It was built to save Scott from the budget cuts of the Clinton years - it succeeded and Scott is now relatively safe, even if in Obama's second term or something he starts cutting bases. This is why I have always seen MidAmerica as a raging success.
The additional runway at MidAmerica is important to Scott's success because with that runway, Scott was able to get and keep the Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Transportation Command and the 18th Airforce - making it one of the most important logistical hubs in the U.S. government coordinating the movement of troops and materials across the world. The 18th flies some of the biggest planes in the fleet for transportation purposes and the runway at MidAmerica is the only runway at Scott that can accommodate some of those planes, at least that is my lay understanding.
Everyone talks about wanting MidAmerica to be a cargo hub ... well, it is. It is just that it is a hub for the U.S. Government, not a commercial entity. I'm not even sure that I want MidAmerica sharing that runway space with commercial entities - as I want it to continue to develop as a logistics hub for the U.S. Military. That is a better client than having some Chinese group that could pull their money at any time and it is hard to see how logistics will not continue to be a very important part of the military in this global, terrorist age.
That airport was sold to the public as a potential second airport for Saint Louis. That was never going to happen and I am pretty sure the developers and local government knew that, but they needed the people to vote for it to get the approvals through. It was really built for Scott and to keep those good, high paying military jobs in the Metro East. If that is how you understand the purpose of that airport, then it is hard to see how it is anything but a success.
On the airport, Dredger is right in my opinion. It was built to save Scott from the budget cuts of the Clinton years - it succeeded and Scott is now relatively safe, even if in Obama's second term or something he starts cutting bases. This is why I have always seen MidAmerica as a raging success.
The additional runway at MidAmerica is important to Scott's success because with that runway, Scott was able to get and keep the Air Mobility Command and the U.S. Transportation Command and the 18th Airforce - making it one of the most important logistical hubs in the U.S. government coordinating the movement of troops and materials across the world. The 18th flies some of the biggest planes in the fleet for transportation purposes and the runway at MidAmerica is the only runway at Scott that can accommodate some of those planes, at least that is my lay understanding.
Everyone talks about wanting MidAmerica to be a cargo hub ... well, it is. It is just that it is a hub for the U.S. Government, not a commercial entity. I'm not even sure that I want MidAmerica sharing that runway space with commercial entities - as I want it to continue to develop as a logistics hub for the U.S. Military. That is a better client than having some Chinese group that could pull their money at any time and it is hard to see how logistics will not continue to be a very important part of the military in this global, terrorist age.
That airport was sold to the public as a potential second airport for Saint Louis. That was never going to happen and I am pretty sure the developers and local government knew that, but they needed the people to vote for it to get the approvals through. It was really built for Scott and to keep those good, high paying military jobs in the Metro East. If that is how you understand the purpose of that airport, then it is hard to see how it is anything but a success.
Hmmmm, never thought of it that way. Insightful and makes a lot of sense.
(does kind of change the mental landscape)
(does kind of change the mental landscape)
Adding cargo flights...
Go MidAmerica Fresh™ for the Freshest, Longest-Lasting Flowers
Taking advantage of these new, direct flights from Bogota, Colombia to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in the Metro-East each week, StLFN members now have access to flowers that were cut on flower farms just hours prior to landing in St. Louis - essentially giving florists the freshest flowers ever available in the Midwest. Cutting days off of transit time through traditional shipping means flowers shipped through these direct flights have 5~7 additional days of vase life. Extending days of vase-life for that precious arrangement is extremely valuable - making the gift of flower giving even more powerful. So when you think flowers for any ocassion this year, take advantage of the area's freshest flowers, certified MidAmerica Fresh™, and make a lasting impression to the one you care about most!
www.flymidamerica.com
http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/ar ... ntines.txt
Go MidAmerica Fresh™ for the Freshest, Longest-Lasting Flowers
Taking advantage of these new, direct flights from Bogota, Colombia to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in the Metro-East each week, StLFN members now have access to flowers that were cut on flower farms just hours prior to landing in St. Louis - essentially giving florists the freshest flowers ever available in the Midwest. Cutting days off of transit time through traditional shipping means flowers shipped through these direct flights have 5~7 additional days of vase life. Extending days of vase-life for that precious arrangement is extremely valuable - making the gift of flower giving even more powerful. So when you think flowers for any ocassion this year, take advantage of the area's freshest flowers, certified MidAmerica Fresh™, and make a lasting impression to the one you care about most!
www.flymidamerica.com
http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/ar ... ntines.txt
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Seems like a really grotesque waste of carbon miles to me. I mean, I like flowers, but...
Yeah, I don't think anyone can justify keeping an airport open strictly for weekly flower shipments. Mid-America urgently needs more business-- cargo business, passenger business, it doesn't really matter-- just something that will pay the bills. Maybe that Chinese air freight deal (discussed in another thread) will save it.
Mid-America was a good idea, but it came too late. If our area had a second airport back in the heyday of Lambert, when TWA and Ozark were dominate carriers, Mid-America would have served as a great reliever airport during that busy era. If it had been able to establish itself back in the 1970's, I doubt that it would be nearly vacant today.
Mid-America was a good idea, but it came too late. If our area had a second airport back in the heyday of Lambert, when TWA and Ozark were dominate carriers, Mid-America would have served as a great reliever airport during that busy era. If it had been able to establish itself back in the 1970's, I doubt that it would be nearly vacant today.
Mid-America saved Scott Air Force Base. It may look like a boondoggle, but it was worth it. Now it may be helpful in landing the Chinese cargo deal.
MattnSTL - you couldn't haven't said it any better. Scotts Air Force was the short list for closing before Mid-America. Afterwards, it has grown to a command center with some 14,000 active members and civil employees. Now it is in the running for the Cyberwarfare command. That impact has been HUGE!
I believe it would be better for the region of the whole if Mid-America was actually folded into Scotts Airforce Base. The idea that this area can support two airports for passenger as well as cargo is unrealistic (we need a populat twice as big which would be much more comparable to Chicago). A better trade off would be continued/additional support and development of Downtown St. Louis airport (which is in Illinois) for Mid-America being turned over to the Feds (who payed for it in the first place). Unfortunately, IL politicians won't give up on the sacred cow.
I believe it would be better for the region of the whole if Mid-America was actually folded into Scotts Airforce Base. The idea that this area can support two airports for passenger as well as cargo is unrealistic (we need a populat twice as big which would be much more comparable to Chicago). A better trade off would be continued/additional support and development of Downtown St. Louis airport (which is in Illinois) for Mid-America being turned over to the Feds (who payed for it in the first place). Unfortunately, IL politicians won't give up on the sacred cow.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 3:28pm CDT | Modified: Thursday, October 15, 2009, 6:00am
MidAmerica to add second cargo flight by end of year
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport plans to add a second cargo flight from South America by the end of the year, Director Tim Cantwell said Wednesday.
A year ago this month, the St. Clair County airport welcomed its first intercontinental air cargo flight with the arrivals of tons of fresh flowers from Bogotá, Colombia, through Miami-based Teqflor International Logistics
READ MORE:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily42.html
MidAmerica to add second cargo flight by end of year
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann
MidAmerica St. Louis Airport plans to add a second cargo flight from South America by the end of the year, Director Tim Cantwell said Wednesday.
A year ago this month, the St. Clair County airport welcomed its first intercontinental air cargo flight with the arrivals of tons of fresh flowers from Bogotá, Colombia, through Miami-based Teqflor International Logistics
READ MORE:
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily42.html
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Well this sounds encouraging...
Business coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann
A “major business” is coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill.
Officials plan to make the announcement at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Among those scheduled to attend the news conference are Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Reps. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., and John Shimkus, R-Ill., U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern.
“This announcement has the potential of creating a significant long-term impact on our region’s economic future,” Costello said in a statement.
read more
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily20.html
Business coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann
A “major business” is coming to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill.
Officials plan to make the announcement at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Among those scheduled to attend the news conference are Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, U.S. Reps. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., and John Shimkus, R-Ill., U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern.
“This announcement has the potential of creating a significant long-term impact on our region’s economic future,” Costello said in a statement.
read more
http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily20.html
With the big Congressional presence I would speculate that its tied to either a Federal Grant and/or Scotts Air Force Base or both.
I believe it will hurt the region if it is a freight connection to Asia as the region will continue its old way of competing on a local basis instead of competing against other metro areas. If it is, might as well kiss Lambert's China Air hub idea goodbye.
I believe it was a wise move to build Mid-American and a run around by politicians in order to provide Scotts Air Force base with a second runway needed to keep it off the first BRIC list. I also believe that it would be better for the region as a whole if the long term plan would be to turn over Mid America to the Air Force. It has been a double edge sword, good for Scotts AFB/region but added to the region's excess aviation capacity.
I believe it will hurt the region if it is a freight connection to Asia as the region will continue its old way of competing on a local basis instead of competing against other metro areas. If it is, might as well kiss Lambert's China Air hub idea goodbye.
I believe it was a wise move to build Mid-American and a run around by politicians in order to provide Scotts Air Force base with a second runway needed to keep it off the first BRIC list. I also believe that it would be better for the region as a whole if the long term plan would be to turn over Mid America to the Air Force. It has been a double edge sword, good for Scotts AFB/region but added to the region's excess aviation capacity.
^^ Agreed. We need to focus more on getting Lambert to hub status again before we worry about our secondary airports. Having said that, I'm all for MidAmerica landing this business deal if it doesn't negatively impact our primary airport.
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I respectfully but strongly disagree.Dredger wrote:I believe it will hurt the region if it is a freight connection to Asia as the region will continue its old way of competing on a local basis instead of competing against other metro areas. If it is, might as well kiss Lambert's China Air hub idea goodbye.
1. It would build up the viability of the metro area geographically as a port of entry.
2. Both sites could operate effectively within the region, developing a specialized cluster for East Asia within the logistics industry.
3. Such a cluster would lure specialists into the area, where competition between entitites over talent & capabilities would spur each to better services rendered.
4. The sites are not comparable for all types of transport based on adjacent geography, from the industrial corridors & proximate transportation routes to the fact that Scott AFB is quickly becoming a more high-profile military installation, especially amidst the consolidation of other facilities nation-wide as part of cutbacks.
5. There are plenty of markets in the world, and they all need to be serviced.
6. Such an investment by an international corporation would effectively testify to the viability of increasing conditions for imports & exports, the markets for goods to be shipped, and the state of the global economies amidst these horrendous times. Perhaps it could serve as the final push to get the China Hub at Lambert to fruition.
All the same, I doubt it's East Asian logistics coming in, although I don't have a qualified guess as to who it could be. Guess we're all going to have to wait a bit more.
Indeed. This will not hurt Lambert Airport's China hub chances at all. The more logistics and freight forwarding companies in our region, the stronger the case for a Chinese hub. South American connections are important. Who knows, Teqflor or Centurion could announce a move of (some) operations to MidAmerica. Disclaimer: Pure speculation.
Gone Corporate, I really think your in the relm of wishful thinking if you believe their is enough services and trade in the immediate area let alone pulling in traffic from other Metro areas to support air cargo flights at two different fields. Sorry, just can't be as optimistic considering that we don't have the Metro size of a Chicago, Dallas, or Houston nor do we have Fedex Hub like Memphis. Hopefully everybody will prove me wrong.
Right now, Mid America has two distinct advantages over Lambert for any air cargo carrier. First, The landing fees must be considerably less since the Federal Government essentially paid for Mid America. Second, Metro East has garnered a lot of wharehouse space on greenfield developments that pay little or no property taxes. In turn, Lambert is struggling with the loss of hub service while having to make bond payments on any improvements paid as well as brownfield space that has come at a cost to develop. Not to mention Missouri's unwillingness to support any infrastructure what so ever, air cargo hub appropriation cut out of the budget is just one example even as every Missouri politician has made at least a couple of trips to China. I fear more greenfield tax supported metro fringe warehouses on one side and an underutilized former urban hub surrounded by empty brownfield developments on the other.
Right now, Mid America has two distinct advantages over Lambert for any air cargo carrier. First, The landing fees must be considerably less since the Federal Government essentially paid for Mid America. Second, Metro East has garnered a lot of wharehouse space on greenfield developments that pay little or no property taxes. In turn, Lambert is struggling with the loss of hub service while having to make bond payments on any improvements paid as well as brownfield space that has come at a cost to develop. Not to mention Missouri's unwillingness to support any infrastructure what so ever, air cargo hub appropriation cut out of the budget is just one example even as every Missouri politician has made at least a couple of trips to China. I fear more greenfield tax supported metro fringe warehouses on one side and an underutilized former urban hub surrounded by empty brownfield developments on the other.
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Announcement today at 11. Sounds like it will be a Fortune 500 company, possibly Boeing.
http://www.bnd.com/2010/08/19/1369153/w ... erica.html
http://www.bnd.com/2010/08/19/1369153/w ... erica.html