Saturday, February 09, 2013

Editorial: Air service boost

It may not be everything critics of Memphis International Airport wanted, but AirTran's announcement that it is adding several flights out of Memphis is a good first step.

AirTran is adding flights to Chicago, Orlando and Baltimore in advance of Southwest Airlines' arrival in Memphis. Southwest and AirTran merged in May 2011, but have continued to operate as separate airlines while integrating operations. The changeover in Memphis should occur this fall.

Getting Southwest here in a big way is seen as an important economic development weapon to blunt high airfares and make up for shrinking air passenger service. The AirTran announcement is clearly a test for Greater Memphis' air service consumers. Southwest executives will be watching to see whether Memphians take advantage of the AirTran flights as they make decisions about the level of service Southwest will offer out of Memphis International Airport.

Airlines are in the business to make money. As we have seen with the steep cuts in service by Delta Air Lines, the airport's primary passenger carrier, if their presence at a particular airport is not profitable they are more likely to keep fares high and flight options low.

When the expanded AirTran service begins in August, Greater Memphians will have a chance to show Southwest that Memphis would be a good investment.
 

Source:   http://www.commercialappeal.com

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