Even Microsoft Can't Program More Flights To The Big Easy

Microsoft, the multi-billion dollar software company, really wanted to contribute to the  rebuilding of New Orleans. It was going to help the city by bringing in 30,000 conventioneers to spend their tourist dollars in The Big Easy.

But USA Today says Microsoft has now cancelled three meetings because... well, simply  not enough airlines are flying enough flights to bring everyone who wants to go.

Service at Louis Armstrong International Airport is barely 61 percent of what it was before Hurricane Katrina. The city itself is struggling, of course, to reclaim its former glory, and Microsoft thought it would be a nice idea to pump some money into New Orleans by scheduling three of its major conventions for 2007, bring in a total of 30,000 delegates.

USA Today reports Microsoft finally decided it would be too difficult for employees and business associates to travel there, Microsoft spokeswoman Robyn Kratzer said. "It was going to present some very challenging logistical problems," she added.

The decision was made to schedule the 2007 conventions elsewhere.

A spokesperson for the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitor's Bureau said she had asked the airport to bring in more flights, but was unsuccessful. Of the Microsoft pull-out, she said "Of course we are sorry they changed their mind. We are continuing to work with them for future dates in future years."

FMI: www.neworleanscvb.com, www.flymsy.com