Mon, Sep 22, 2003
Western Pennsylvania Gauges Possible Economic Impact
It's about as cheery in
Pittsburgh these days as a local bar that's just run out of Iron
City Beer. US Airways continues to threaten shutting down its
Pittsburgh hub and only now is the city coming to grips with the
potential economic impact.
A US Airways study released last week indicates pulling out of
Pittsburgh would cost the Iron City 16,800 jobs. In all, the
economic impact on the region would be stupefying. The cost of lost
tourism alone, according to the study, would be $2 billion a
year.
US Airways sent results from the study by email to its frequent
fliers.
US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said Thursday, "Please
don't read in between the lines. This e-mail was sent to passengers
within a 200-mile radius of Pittsburgh to let them know what we're
doing and the issues we face. If we were to leave, it would greatly
impact them. We feel an obligation to keep them informed."
War Tactic?
Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey said the airline
sent the e-mails to "build public pressure" as US Airways looks to
renegotiate its leases at airports in Pittsburgh and
Philadelphia.
Nonetheless, Roddey said the report doesn't say anything leaders
in western Pennsylvania didn't already know. "This is an important
issue and has an important impact on the region, or else we
wouldn't be offering millions of dollars," Roddey said.
Pennsylvania has countered the US Airways demand with an offer of
$236.9 million.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell had not reviewed the economic
impact study as of Thursday afternoon and had no comment on its
contents, said his spokeswoman, Kate Philips.
US Airways, which controls 80 percent of the gates and therefore
pays most of the airport's bond debt under a deal struck when a new
Pittsburgh terminal opened in 1992, wants $500 million cut from the
$673 million in outstanding bond debt. Allegheny County officials
say that kind of a cut won't work. They're upset because the new
terminal was designed to specifications put forth by the
airline.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.02.24)
See All