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Why Are Passengers Footing The Bill For All These Shiny, New Terminals?
Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles and Seattle-Tacoma are all paving new runways. The airport in Detroit just opened a new terminal, as did JetBlue, of course, with its long-awaited T5 at JFK (pictured). Since airlines seem to perpetually do the exact opposite of what’s good for them, we have to wonder whether pouring money into cushier digs on the ground really improves the process of flying for those who matter: Us.
Since congestion seems to be easing on its own, what with the increasing popularity of the delusional "staycation," it seems a bit frivolous for struggling airlines to continually unveil glistening, futuristic new terminals every few months. Passengers end up paying for these sweeping structures filled with interlocking corrugated iron and panoramic views of the tarmac. Whereas landing fees were less than $5 per ticket a few years ago, now they’re up to about $8. At the airport in St. Louis, with one of the most underused terminals anywhere, passengers end up paying an extra $13.
Executives at Southwest Airlines, which slowed its terminal expansions in the late 1990s, are particularly critical of the trend. Bob Montgomery, Southwest's VP of Properties, argued that the third terminal planned for McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas will basically screw over struggling consumers with unnecessary fees. The projects are "spending other people's money," added the company’s CEO, Gary Kelly. You tell ‘em, Gary.
Related Stories:
· US Airports Grow Apace, but the Timing Seems Off [IHT]
· New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU [Jaunted]
· New Detroit Terminal React-O-Matic [Jaunted]
[Photo: interpolactic]
Tags: Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags
New Terminals Travel: A Sneak Peak at T2 at RDU
There's nothing quite like spending the day at the airport when you have no intention of flying anywhere. Yet that's where we were over the weekend as the Raleigh-Durham International Airport flung open the doors on its new Terminal 2.
Families, business travelers and dorks like us were all on-hand to check things out and figure out where to charge the laptop before take-off. (Answer: At the copious plugs found at every gate.) There was a pretty good turnout, and airport staff provided novelty boarding passes and event programs.
Tags: Airports / T2 at RDU / RDU / → All Tags
New Terminals Travel: Raleigh Aiport Hosting Weekend Open House
While we wait for the now-delayed opening of JFK's new T5, Raleigh-Durham International is wooing airport dorks with an open house on Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.
The new $570 million Terminal 2 at RDU will open in two phases. The party this weekend is in the North Concourse, which will have a dozen restaurants, 19 gates, two large art installations and seating areas with plentiful standard and USB power outlets. The airport is also planning family activities, live music and prize giveaways for the open house.
T2 officially opens on October 26, when American, Delta, United and Air Canada move in. Continental and US Airways are scheduled to join them by the end of 2011.
Related Stories:
· RDU Terminal 2 [Official Site]
· JetBlue Terminal 5 Opening Pushed Back! [Jaunted]
