Port Columbus Begins Preparing for Arrival of Skybus COLUMBUS – The Columbus Regional Airport Authority today authorized over $8 million for design and construction of several capacity enhancements within the terminal in preparation for the launch of Columbus-based Skybus Airlines, which plans to begin flying to major markets from Port Columbus International Airport in the spring of 2007. The $8 million is part of the Airport Authority’s $27 million package announced last week and includes a new checked baggage security cluster, renovation of airline ticket and operations level offices, expansion of the Concourse B checkpoint, addition of a hold room area, and other improvements for airline operations. On Friday the Airport Authority, City of Columbus and State of Ohio announced over $57 million in assistance for Skybus, including performance-based incentives for the expected creation of more than 1,000 jobs. The Airport Authority estimates Skybus is eligible for $4 million in incentives through its Airline Incentive Program available to all existing and new entrant airlines. Additionally, the Airport Authority has identified up to $23 million in terminal capacity enhancements necessary to support the anticipated passenger growth generated by Skybus. The $8 million approved by the Airport Authority board is a component of the airport’s $27 million package.
“History has demonstrated that low-fare airlines generate high levels of market stimulation and it’s expected that Skybus will stimulate a net gain in the number of passengers flying out of Port Columbus,” said David Whitaker, Vice President of Business Development for the Airport Authority. “Passengers pump money back into the Airport Authority through food and retail sales and parking revenues which allows for reinvestment in facilities and infrastructure. Our incentive program is really an investment in the community.”
JetBlue, which begins four daily flights to New York/JFK on October 3 and a daily Boston flight beginning on October 18, also qualifies for financial assistance under the Port Columbus Airline Incentive Program.
“By assisting the airlines we strengthen the foundation of their success in the Columbus market,” said Whitaker. The Airport Authority recently won first place honors in Airports Councils International’s annual marketing contest in the airline partnership category for the Port Columbus Airline Incentive Program.
From January to August Port Columbus passenger traffic remained flat as compared to 2005 with over 4.4 million passengers utilizing the airport during the first eight months of the year. Port Columbus provides over 170 daily non-stop flights to 37 airports. Air carriers include Air Canada Jazz, American, Continental, Delta, Midwest Connect, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways/America West and USA3000 with JetBlue to launch service in October.
Meanwhile, nearly 159 million pounds of cargo moved through Rickenbacker January through August for a 2.5% increase as compared to 2005 activity. Rickenbacker International Airport is a multi-modal cargo airport that features an impressive network of freight forwarders and cargo airlines such as FedEx, UPS, Evergreen International, Kalitta and Atlas as well as a U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone and numerous industrial parks. For additional information contact Angie Tabor, Manager of Communications, at (614) 239-4081.
With all these incentives and improvements the port authority is offering skybus you would think they could offer the pilots a better starting salary. Doesn't make any mention of the number of gates they will occupy.
