Airport News

Some of this has been known for a while, but I just thought I would acknowledge it here:

• Lufthansa announced that they are ending service to PDX. Not a big surprise, given the terrible shape of Oregon's economy right now. Lufthansa recently started service to SEA and also serves YVR, so it was probably not as cost-effective to serve so many stations so close to one another in the same region. Sucks for PDX, but Delta is still running nonstops to AMS for Oregon travelers who want a direct flight to Europe.
• vivaAerobus ended service to AUS back in May, thus ending the "low cost terminal" experiment at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport for the time being. I think this concept has some potential, but bad economy coupled with the swine flu outbreak in Mexico ultimately did this one in.
• Somewhat surprising announcement: American Airlines announced the end of their "nerd bird" service between the high-tech centers of AUS and SJC, after nearly 18 years. Another victim of the recession, no doubt, as high-tech companies continue to lay off staff and restrict travel. Fortunately, Alaska Airlines stepped in to save Austin's high-tech travelers from the nightmare of connecting flights through DFW: they announced one daily direct flight between AUS and SJC, with continuing service onto PDX. Will be interesting to see how well this does. Alaska has clearly identified Austin as a target market, given that they had previously planned to start offering direct flights between AUS and SEA (another former American direct flight that was recently terminated). Alaska will be using 737-800 planes on both routes. I wish them well -- I have heard many good things about Alaska, and it is nice for Austin to maintain some direct flights to the West Coast. Maybe a direct flight to PDX would be in the cards, eventually?
• At DFW, things seem relatively stable for now. This is American's principal hub. American Eagle recently launched service to Santa Fe, NM, and is planning to start up service to Manhattan, KS, soon. Interesting choice...there must be a lot of pent-up demand for flights there among Kansas State University fans and Fort Riley soldiers, perhaps?
• Over at IAH, Continental Airlines seems relatively stable at their main hub as well. Alaska continues their expansion into Texas -- they will be running a nonstop between IAH and SEA soon, too. This will directly compete with a Continental Airlines route. More choices for Houston travelers, which is good!

Airline cutbacks due to mergers and the global economic situation have really hurt airports like CVG, and even flying out of AUS or PDX ain't what it used to be. However, at least around Texas, I suspect things could be a lot worse.