Entries in General (14)
Spring Break Can Mean Long Lines
If you're flying anywhere during the next couple of weeks watch you should probably get to the airport early due to the Spring Breakers. They're backing up lines at both ticket counters and security screening checkpoints. On Friday afternoon this airport had a 25 minute line at the main check point (see photo).
Spring Break is always a busy time for airports, but it seems particularly busy at SGF this year. On Friday all of Allegiant Air flights were sold out—that's two flights to Florida and one to Las Vegas. The lobby was full of exited children waiting to get on the plane to Orlando (and Disney World).
Kent
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PrintBrits Ease Carry-on Restrictions
Heads up if you're traveling to the United Kingdom. The Brits are about to ease restrictions put in place in August of 2006 after their liquid explosives scare. That's the same scare that gave us the quart sized plastic bag and fear of big tooth paste tubes (you can't carry-on more than three ounces of any given liquid, and you can only take as many three ounce containers that will fit in one quart sized plastic bag).
But while the UK is about to ease restrictions, The Times (of London) reports that the process of lifting restrictions will likely be anything but smooth. From the sounds of it, it may end up costing customers more to travel.
Fuel Fees?
A speculative story from Reuters today about the possibility of airlines charging customers a separate fuel fee... Airline consultant Robert Mann tells Reuters, "I'm convinced that you're going to see someone try to unbundle fuel this year."
Meanwhile, United Airlines "said on Friday that it had raised fares throughout its route system to offset "unprecedented fuel costs.""
The Year Ahead
I hate long forecasts, so here's a short one...
Frequent Flier Miles...Use them or lose them! The airlines are doing everything they can to save money and frequent flier programs are an easy target. United and American recently started deleting miles from accounts that are unused for 18 months. Expect more cuts—check with your airline to find out what changes are in the works.
Airline Economic Outlook...The price of oil is double what it was two years ago and that means airline health is shaky at best. In 2008 customers should expect higher fares, fewer flights (resulting in even more crowded flights), fewer in-flight amenities and more aggravation. As the airlines scan their 2008 ledgers they'll be looking for markets to cut. So, the airport's challenge in 2008 is hanging on to the service we have.
Consolidation...2008 might bring a wave of airline consolidations. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is speculating. If the tsunami strikes, the fallout will almost certainly affect service at our airport—for better or for worse.
Hate to start off the new year with such gloomy news—I'll try to find some that's a bit cheerier...