Richmond International Airport

[burt]

I would gladly fly AirTran or JetBlue if my company would allow me to. They have an agreement with Delta and American as preferred airlines. On our corporate travel site most other airlines don't even show up as available to book, and I can't book my flights any other way. Oh well.

Mmmmmm. Reps from the Chamber of Commerce and Airport Commission ought to schmooze a bit with your CEO over a few cocktails.

[crashvt03]

Mmmmmm. Reps from the Chamber of Commerce and Airport Commission ought to schmooze a bit with your CEO over a few cocktails.

It's IBM. Doubt they'd have much influence.

Only way I can purchase tickets through an airline's website is if the ticket is less than $75. And that also will likely never happen. I'll just keep adding to my 400k+ Delta miles.

[burt]

January has to be the lightest traffic month every year at RIC (probably elsewhere, too.) While only 828 more passengers arrived and departed in January 2011 over the previous January, the skimpy numbers reflect the 6th month in a row of growth.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...raff-ar-859118/

Edited February 22, 2011 by burt

[burt]

This is a follow-up story by Peter Bacque of the RTD about the modest increase in passenger traffic during January at RIC.

It appears that February will buck the trend and record a decrease.

Figures in the "Related" box don't look good for the two low cost carriers despite the publicity blitz.

From the RTD on Feb. 23rd:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/feb/23/tdbiz01-jan-passenger-traffic-rises-at-ric-ar-860719/

[flack4ric]

This is a follow-up story by Peter Bacque of the RTD about the modest increase in passenger traffic during January at RIC.

It appears that February will buck the trend and record a decrease.

Figures in the "Related" box don't look good for the two low cost carriers despite the publicity blitz.

Burt, a modest overall increase but we'll take it.

As far as the "related" box, please do not so quickly conclude that one month is a measure of success or failure. As an example, if an airline had a 30% market share but a dismal load factor and weak revenue, the airline would not feel like it was a "successful" month in the market. Conversely, an airline with a smaller market share but strong passenger loads & revenue would be pleased.

Over time, share can speak to influence in a market. We would like to see carriers on the smaller side grow their share, as this provides a healther competitive balance supporting better service and maintaining fair fares.

Flack4RIC

[wrldcoupe4]

http://styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=0F1224C4DB1B45E2817976655481F989

We're screwed if we can't find a way to make low-cost carriers work at RIC...

[burt]

There is no reference to RIC in this AP story about Allegiant Air Lines and its strange way of pricing low-cost tickets, but could they and the Airport Commission be discussing local slots?

Although it is based in Las Vegas, I believe Allegiant is sort of a "minor league" line flying in and out of cities similar in size to Roanoke and Greenville to (or near) leisure destinations. Allegiant does not necessarily fly on a daily basis.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...a-ga-ar-905759/

Edited March 15, 2011 by burt

[burt]

RIC is anticipating an upsurge in traffic at the airport from people going to San Antonio for the Sweet 16 this coming weekend.

Flack says that if demand is sufficient, some airlines have been known to "up gauge" from smaller scheduled aircraft to larger planes.

From today's Richmond biz sense:

http://www.richmondb...-their-wallets/

There are no direct flights to San Antonio (SAT) from RIC but one-stop connections can be made in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston or Chicago (some of the connections via low cost Air Tran to ATL.)

Check schedules here:

http://www.flyrichmond.com

Of course, you may want to hold off with crossed fingers in hopes of attending the Final Four in Houston (that's non-stop from RIC.)

Edited March 22, 2011 by burt

[Icetera]

Ick, I have to fly into San Antonio (via AirTran) that following Monday. Hopefully the crowds will not be terrible (not to mention the construction, if it has not been completed).

[burt]

Ick, I have to fly into San Antonio (via AirTran) that following Monday. Hopefully the crowds will not be terrible (not to mention the construction, if it has not been completed).

What construction, Ice? At RIC or SAT?

[HopHead]

There are no direct flights to San Antonio (SAT) from RIC but one-stop connections can be made in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston or Chicago (some of the connections via low cost Air Tran to ATL.)

Charlotte also has daily non-stop flights to San Antonio.

[Icetera]

What construction, Ice? At RIC or SAT?

SAT Terminal B. I just looked it up and it appears to have been completed in November.

[burt]

Passenger traffic continues on its modest increase at RIC with 4,155 more flyers in March 2011 over the previous March. A total of 272,654 people got on and off commercial flights, or a rise of 1.6% over 2010 figures..

It's interesting to note that deplanements this March totaled 137,701 while the number of those boarding out-going aircraft at RIC was 134,953. That's 2,748 more arrivers than departers. By contrast, deplanements were 843 higher than enplanements in 2010.

From flyrichmond dot com

http://www.flyrichmond.com/Load.php?Content=News_147

[burt]

Passenger traffic continues on its modest increase at RIC with 4,155 more flyers in March 2011 over the previous March. A total of 272,654 people got on and off commercial flights, or a rise of 1.6% over 2010 figures..

It's interesting to note that deplanements this March totaled 137,701 while the number of those boarding out-going aircraft at RIC was 134,953. That's 2,748 more arrivers than departers. By contrast, deplanements were 843 higher than enplanements in 2010.

From flyrichmond dot com

http://www.flyrichmo...ontent=News_147

Photo from the RTD on 4/26/11:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/apr/26/richmond-international-airport-im-100004/

[burt]

Although Southwest has finalized its purchase of AirTran, it's not at all certain that RIC will benefit.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...ion-ar-1012157/

Edited May 3, 2011 by burt

[crashvt03]

Vision Airlines will reconnect Grand Bahama Island with direct air service to RIC beginning in November, the Grand Bahama Tourist Office announced yesterday.

http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/publish/ministry_of_tourism_updates/Low-Cost_Carrier_Fills_Laker_Airways_Void16420.shtml

Flights will be on a 136 seat Boeing 737-300 aircraft. No word on the number of flights per week or any other details. I know absolutely nothing about this airline, so not much else to add...

[flack4ric]

Vision Airlines will reconnect Grand Bahama Island with direct air service to RIC beginning in November, the Grand Bahama Tourist Office announced yesterday.

Flights will be on a 136 seat Boeing 737-300 aircraft. No word on the number of flights per week or any other details. I know absolutely nothing about this airline, so not much else to add...

crashvt03, perhaps we should start calling you "Scoop." Nice find, but cannot confirm as we defer to air carriers and their travel partners, like Grand Bahama Vacations in this case, to take the lead in making service announcements. Having been in Richmond for a decade, I can tell you I've been asked hundreds of times about the possibility of a Laker-like service returning to RIC. The trips were very popular.

As far as Vision, they are planning low-cost hub-and-spoke service in the FL Panhandle, plus some service to other leisure destinations. USA Today recently ran an article on the Destin service program.

The airline's website, if you're inclined to read more: http://www.visionairlines.com.

Flack4RIC

[burt]

According to reports from South Carolina, Charleston International traffic increased by 29% in April over the same month last year. Total count for the month was 239,531 and the big jump in numbers is attributed to the "Southwest Effect."

After 8 months of traffic growth at RIC thru March of this year, the trend reversed itself in April.

Perhaps there's still hope of Southwest entering the local market.

Meanwhile, welcome to Vision and its connection to The Bahamas beginning in November. Air Canada will have some company at the Customs desk.

http://www.flyrichmond.com

Edited June 19, 2011 by burt

[Shakman]

According to reports from South Carolina, Charleston International traffic increased by 29% in April over the same month last year. Total count for the month was 239,531 and the big jump in numbers is attributed to the "Southwest Effect."

After 8 months of traffic growth at RIC thru March of this year, the trend reversed itself in April.

Perhaps there's still hope of Southwest entering the local market.

Meanwhile, welcome to Vision and its connection to The Bahamas beginning in November. Air Canada will have some company at the Customs desk.

http://www.flyrichmond.com

Air Canada has go through Customs??? I don't think so.

[flack4ric]

Air Canada has go through Customs??? I don't think so.

Air Canada pre-clears in Toronto, Vision is expected to pre-clear in Freeport. RIC International Arrivals/US Customs does nopt see scheduled passenger traffic at this time.

Flack4RIC

[burt]

Vision Airlines will reconnect Grand Bahama Island with direct air service to RIC beginning in November, the Grand Bahama Tourist Office announced yesterday.

http://www.thebahama...Void16420.shtml

Flights will be on a 136 seat Boeing 737-300 aircraft. No word on the number of flights per week or any other details. I know absolutely nothing about this airline, so not much else to add...

It's reported that as of June 29th Raleigh replaced Greensboro on Vision Airlines plans to fly between US cities and Grand Bahama Island. Louisville, Richmond, Ft. Lauderdale and Baltimore remain on the list.

Flack indicates that (at least from Richmond) the flights may be on a charter schedule.

Edited July 6, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Vision Airlines confirms it will enter the Richmond market in November with twice-weekly flights between RIC and Freeport on Grand Bahama Island.

A lot of central Virginians like the opportunity to fly down to The Bahamas for gambling and shopping.

Keep tuned for more information.

Breaking news from today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...mas-ar-1189986/

Edited July 22, 2011 by burt

[burt]

Beginning in November, if you fly Vision from RIC to Freeport on a Friday, the earliest return is the following Monday. Or, you can fly down on a Monday and return Friday.

Fares start at $99 each way. You can be sure some sweet package deals including hotel stay will be offered.

From today's RTD:

http://www2.timesdis...mas-ar-1189986/

Edited July 23, 2011 by burt

[crashvt03]

This isn't exactly about RIC, but Southwest announced that AirTran is going to stop flying to Newport News (PHF) next year. http://insidebiz.com/news/southwest-terminating-airtran-service-out-newport-news

One would think that this is good news for RIC. With AirTran at both RIC and PHF, and Southwest at Norfolk (ORF), it would have been surprising to see all 3 stations survive. With PHF gone, you would think Southwest would keep RIC and hopefully offer service to more places than just Atlanta and Orlando.

[Shakman]

Starting on August 23, 2011, American Eagle will reduce daily frequency on its RIC - ORD route.

http://airlineroute.net/2011/08/01/aa-us-w11update1/

Edited August 1, 2011 by Shakman