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PIE feels impact of high fuel prices
By SUZETTE PORTER
Article published on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 |
PINELLAS COUNTY – St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport director Noah Lagos talks about the tough times ahead for the airline industry in the Spring-Summer 2008 edition of FLY2Pie News.
“As you all know, the airline industry is facing tough times and is expected to lose almost $7 billion this year,” Lagos writes. “Many small airports have lost all their air carrier service.”
Lagos attributes the “tough times” to the high cost of fuel prices and the general economic conditions.
And, while PIE is not expecting to lose all its air carriers, USA3000 Airlines announced it would pull its service in August due to soaring fuel costs. Lagos said USA3000 had been very popular with passengers during the five years it has served PIE.
“We are sorry to see them leave,” Lagos said. “Their senior management shared with me that they love PIE and would certainly give strong consideration to returning in the future if industry conditions improve.”
Allegiant Air is now PIE’s only major carrier.
Allegiant Air has been experiencing top of the industry passenger loads and through the first quarter of 2008 and was one of only two airlines to post a profit, Lagos said.
“With 15 non-stop destinations at PIE, we are thrilled with Allegiant’s success and its popularity in Tampa Bay,” Lagos said.
Allegiant traditionally cuts back service to all its Florida destinations after the busy summer travel season ends; however on June 9, the airline announced it had extended its schedule and was accepting reservations for flights out of PIE through Dec. 15.
Lagos said although the airport is expected to have less business in the coming months, PIE is “financially well positioned with no debt and a healthy ‘rainy day’ reserve fund to weather the immediate air service challenges until the airlines can turn the corner back to profitability.”
He said a “silver lining” to the decrease in traffic would be the ability to “ramp up” the terminal renovation project to minimize impacts on customer service.
Construction has started with the demolition of Ticketing A restrooms, and relocation of Ticketing B counters is expected to begin soon. A bid has gone out for new carpeting for the entire terminal and bids will soon go out for tile, wall covering and new seating. Specifications for other phases, including passenger loading bridges, are in the works.
Lagos said a recent survey of passengers in the departure lounges by Research Data Services Inc. showed that about 90 percent of passengers found their overall travel experience at the airport good or excellent.
According to the survey, customers said availability of non-stop flights, airfare rates, airport location and small airport convenience were the primary reasons for using PIE.
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Article published on Tuesday, June 10, 2008
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