urbanSTL

Does the Open Skies rules play into this? Then you can look at another way for BA or Iberia. Do you pursue markets in the states yourself or do you continue to depend on one alliance partners such as AA? Second thought, Does BA gain more revenue under a one alliance agreement or pursue the individual markets?



BA might bet that they don't lose anything from a business man from Des Moines, IA because they will probably not see any chance of revenue until the person shows up in London anyways. Where as St. Louis region might be a big enough market to support a direct flight for BA and the associate revenue that comes with it. In that case, You might win over a few more travelers from Springfield's, Jefferson City, etc. who might pass up an AA connection to ORD in favor of driving to STL for a direct flight because overall times are not any different (Time to board and fly a rj and wait at ORD). Cleveland has a few cities like Akron, Toledo and Columbus where you got the same conditions/market present.

Is there a way to get the number of travelers to Europe that originated in St. Louis the in 06, 07, 08.

an average of 400 people per day leave STL to go to Europe.



St. Louis was never really a huge Origination/Destination market, but was obviously more of a connection point/ HUB for TWA. we were overserved, we were 8th busiest in 2000 (so depressing to think about that). But people shouldn't freak out, there will be other carriers that pick up where American might cancel. San Francisco will still likely be served by Virgin America for example.



If we really want Lambert to change for the better, it needs to be a REGIONAL collaboration according to ALL of those in the know. The City should not control this regional/state asset. St. Louis politics can get in the way of this airport operating most efficiently. This should be priority NUMBER ONE for this region. I don't think anything else is as important. A good quality, welcoming airport - it is the doorstep to the region.



Gut and redo the main terminal, remove all those worthless ticket counters, or at least drastically reduce them.



Tear down A, B, C and building a new "single shot" terminal/concourse similar to the new one in Detroit, and have it connect to Yamasaki's main terminal.

JCity, reminds of going in and out of Midway when Chicago rebuilt the entire terminal. It still found it easier go through Midway construction then Ohara (plus, a lot more interesting to see how things developed over time)



I would add a rebuilt short term garage/rental facility/metrolink stop on the other side of the Main Terminal as well as an automated tram between the terminals (not sure if it should be between concourses - secured - or between terminals - unsecured). I believe someone had done a nice visual on the concept already in this thread



I guess I will have to donate my lottery winnings to make it happen considering the perverse attitude against any infrastructure investment that is not a road.

The airport says they can't rebuild because they won't have the money until a lot more fights start coming here. That's working our real well isn't it? So maybe the region needs a new way to fund the terminal rebuild -- with a 5-year region-wide sales tax for instance.



Or maybe Illlinois will lure a big airline to MidAmerica coupled with expansion and the move to Illinois for all the airlines can begin. Hey, if Branson can do it.

Many large cities have privatized their airports. Maybe we should go in that direction as well.

which US city has done this? apparently it doesn't work well in the US. trust me, i thought of the same idea.



Step 1: Remove the airport from the city's control. Make a regional board

Step 2: pass a sales tax, ask for wealthy donations, etc. rebuild a quality terminal/concourse



Only with the airport out of the city's control will ANY of this ever happen. The city has too much BS going on. It has come a long way with Slay, but again, anyone "in the know" understands the status quo will equal a continual slide into the abyss.

Interestingly, the Mayor has talked about creating a regional body to take over the airport. While the airport commission is a regional body, it doesn't have real power since it doesn't own it.

JCity wrote:

Many large cities have privatized their airports. Maybe we should go in that direction as well.

which US city has done this? apparently it doesn't work well in the US. trust me, i thought of the same idea.

Branson's new airport is private.



http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/story?id=7503375&page=1



And they just announced new non-stop service to Orlando last week.

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/ ... 99902.blog

JCity wrote:

Many large cities have privatized their airports. Maybe we should go in that direction as well.

which US city has done this? apparently it doesn't work well in the US. trust me, i thought of the same idea.

I believe both Midway & New Orleans have both gained approval from the FAA to privatize. That means they still have to gain approval from the cities, airport tenants and find funding, but there are at least a few large airports attempting it already.

Gary, I believe we are in big trouble if we are comparing Lambert to Branson, vice versa, in terms of investment, size, number of flights and ownership. Also, Branson is a play for a very specific tourist crowd and won't get much beyond a couple of flights. It is going to hurt Springfield Branson Regional Airport and the surrounding business community in the long run. Finally, what option is their if Branson fails to turn a profit. Become public?



Please find link to FAA pilot program to let five public airports to go private. Midway being one of them. I believe the first attempt to privatize MDW didn't happen when credit failed to materialize.



http://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_com ... atization/

I believe almost all of the big airports in Europe are private now. So they've found a way to make it work. I'm not sure it would be an improvment to become private -- it might be like cable TV.



On the other hand, if St. Louis could lease the airport to a private company for $100 million per year or so, it could eliminate the city earnings tax.

Does Allegiant Air currently fly into Lambert? Might be a good airline to take over some of AA's abandoned non-stops.

Gary Kreie wrote:I believe almost all of the big airports in Europe are private now. So they've found a way to make it work. I'm not sure it would be an improvment to become private -- it might be like cable TV.



On the other hand, if St. Louis could lease the airport to a private company for $100 million per year or so, it could eliminate the city earnings tax.

I can hear it now



"Welcome to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, brought to you by Pepsi!"

DeBaliviere wrote:Does Allegiant Air currently fly into Lambert? Might be a good airline to take over some of AA's abandoned non-stops.

They used to fly in and out of Mid-America Airport to Las Vegas and Orlando-Sanford, but they withdrew because it wasn't profitable or something.



Allegiant seems to be big at SGF. They fly from Springfield to places like LA, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix.....

One bit of good news that appears to have been overlooked in this thread: Lambert will get in-line baggage screening systems. No more dragging your bag over to the gigantic x-ray machines of death after checking in.

That is good news. In-line screening should be a nice improvement for the whole operation.

jonkleinow wrote:One bit of good news that appears to have been overlooked in this thread: Lambert will get in-line baggage screening systems. No more dragging your bag over to the gigantic x-ray machines of death after checking in.

Off topic, but of the other 9 airports, 2 are Cody, Wyoming & Bozeman, Montana. Do those really scream terrorist activities to anyone? Most of the other airports I get, but really? 20% of $700 million for Cody, Wyoming & Bozeman, Montana?

Lambert to consider expanded airline incentives



St. Louis Business Journal - by Kelsey Volkmann



Officials at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport are expected to consider a package of expanded incentives to entice new and existing airlines to add or expand service.



Airport Director Dick Hrabko plans to unveil an expanded incentive program for airport commissioners to consider and possibly adopt at their meeting Wednesday.





The package would give airlines thousands of dollars in breaks through abatements on landing fees, reduced rents and increased marketing money.



The airport already suspends landing fees and gate rents for new carriers for nine months, saving them anywhere from hundreds of thousands of dollars to $1 million. The airport also suspends the same fees for six months for existing carriers that add flights to new cities.





http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... =e_du_pub#

Moorlander wrote:Airport Director d*ck Hrabko plans to unveil an expanded incentive program for airport commissioners to consider and possibly adopt at their meeting Wednesday.

Must you swear to make your point?

The package would give airlines thousands of dollars in breaks through abatements on landing fees, reduced rents and increased marketing money.

how about they land for operating cost and that's it. NO additional fees...

New story about Lambert posted on Bizjournals this afternoon. Looks like AeroMexico plans on doing providing charter flights to STL. Good news. Maybe this will open the door to a Mexico City flight in the future.



I believe their will be three airlines with direct flights to Cancun in the near future, USA3000, Frontier and new AreoMexico. Still hoping that a daily flight to Europe comes through.



http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/ ... ily40.html



Lambert had some good news Wednesday about an airline adding service, albeit of the seasonal variety. Lambert officials said AeroMexico plans to add non-stop charters to Cancun and Puerta Vallarta, Mexico, starting in December.

AeroMexico will add the following nonstop international flights from STL:



AeroMexico, Latin America's leading global airline, will launch non-stop flights between Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and two of Mexico's most popular destinations just as the winter travel season begins to peak.



Funjet is working with the airline to book flight reservations and full vacation packages for this charter service.



The new non-stop service to Cancún begins December 14, with three flights each week to and from Lambert.

Once-a-week non-stop service to Puerta Vallarta begins December 27, 2009.

A fourth non-stop flight to Cancún will be added in January.



Flights will be on AeroMexico Airlines with nonstop service on 737's.