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
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The T-6 Racing Association The T-6 Racing Association is all about T-6‘s and racing. Our mission is to bring great racing to our fans in Reno and other venues wher>[...]
Also: Electra Aero, AMO-CBP v Smugglers, Naval King Airs, Boeing Deal To the surprise of everyone involved, Waco Kitchen shut down both airport operations with little warning and h>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.07.24): Hazardous Weather Information
See All