The Future, However, Looks Good
Industry-wide cutbacks have
resulted in a decrease in the number of passengers flying in and
out of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) for the first time
in recent years... while industry speculation of airline mergers
could stall growth further.
For Manchester Airport Director Kevin Dillon, that means keeping
a watch on merger proposals, while continuing efforts promoting MHT
as a convenient regional hub and gateway to the Boston area.
"I think this is a shake-out going on in the aviation industry,"
Dillon told the Concord (NH) Monitor. "I think there continues to
be hurdles to get over as airlines talk about further consolidation
and mergers that could also lead to a reduction in service levels
and seats."
A strong New Hampshire economy, high demand for an easy-access
local airport, and a growing population with disposable income will
likely keep the market strong, Dillon and state economic experts
say, even if Manchester does see a second year of slowed
growth.
"There is nothing that has changed dramatically for Manchester,"
said Robert Shumsky, an associate professor at Dartmouth's Tuck
School of Business who studies airline operations. "The population
is still there, the demand is more or less still there. I think
they'll hold steady and slowly increase."
A study conducted by the New England Airport Coalition this fall
predicted Manchester airport will see between 3.3 percent and 5.5
percent average annual growth over the next decade.
Traveler traffic is also being encouraged by improved amenities,
as well as convenience in accessing the airport.
Manchester launched a national advertising campaign this year to
attract travelers from across the country bound for Boston:
- In April, the airport changed its name to include Boston -- a
move that will help put the airport on the map for travelers in
other parts of the US who most likely know where Boston is but have
never heard of Manchester, Dillon said.
- In November, the airport rolled out a free bus service to and
from the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn, MA, and
the Sullivan Square subway station just outside Boston.
"I don't think there are too many people in the New England
states who haven't heard of Manchester airport," Dillon said. "Now
we've started to turn our attention to national marketing. It's
more directed toward the guy in Albuquerque who is now going to use
Manchester as a gateway to access the Boston metro area."
More national advertising, particularly Internet advertising,
will be an objective for the coming year, he said.
The airport also began offering free wireless Internet and
installed a new terminal play area for parents traveling with small
children.
An increase in the number of cargo flights this year -- chiefly
FedEx and UPS flights -- has been an especially bright spot for the
airport this year, according to Dillon. By the end of November
2006, the airport had seen a 13.3 percent increase in compared to
the same period in 2005: 159,502,500 pounds vs. 140,808,270
pounds.
State officials will be working closely with the
Manchester-Boston Regional Airport to ensure the success of the
last decade translates to the next one, said State Economic
Development Director Mike Vlacich.
"It really does serve as one of the great drivers of our
economic success," Vlacich said. "It's a real asset as we're making
the case to businesses interested in coming to the state. It's one
of our real tools."
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