Tue, Oct 14, 2008
Carrier's Planned Expansion On Indefinite Hold, Other Airlines
Also Cutting Back
The perennial boom-town mentality of the Las Vegas market is
producing a disagreement between the management of McCarran
International Airport and some airline officials. For years,
airport officials have watched passenger volume rapidly approaching
capacity, and they're now in the middle of a multi-billion-dollar
expansion to accommodate it.
But Southwest Airlines -- which had earlier planned a nearly 50
percent increase in flights to Las Vegas -- now says that
expansion, from 240 daily flights to 350, is on indefinite hold.
Other airlines which have announced capacity cuts have even
specifically targeted markets such as Las Vegas and Orlando for
cuts, because the leisure travel market is particularly
price-sensitive.
The Associated Press reports passenger traffic at McCarren is
down 4.8 percent in 2008 compared to 2007, and notes airlines
projecting 12-to-15 percent fewer seats into Las Vegas going
forward.
But airport planners say that when the economy rebounds, they
must be ready. The expansion currently underway includes a new $2.4
billion international terminal, a new pedestrian bridge, new gates
and a new heliport.
Linda Macey, properties manager for Southwest Airlines, says
airport management needs to slow down. "There is clearly not a
current need for increased capacity," she said.
Macey even appealed to Clark County Commissioners in July to
cancel or delay all upgrades not justified by current needs.
So far, however, the expansion is moving ahead on schedule...
and county officials say they'll be ready to handle 53 million
passengers a year by 2012. Now, they only need to hope all those
folks show up.
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, “>[...]