Talking with Ray Horner about Air Traffic Issues

I spoke with WAKR’s Ray Horner about airline delays yesterday morning. Have a listen to the podcast here.

There’s good news and bad news regarding the dreaded "delays." The good news is that there are very few air traffic delays caused by Akron-Canton Airport (CAK). The bad news is that our flights to cities everyone wants to go to (ie New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta) do get buggered up on occasion. Airlines like to fly to big markets. Who can blame them; that’s where all the people are! Airport and air traffic control infrastructure though, hasn’t kept pace with the rising demand for air travel. That’s lead to one of the worst summers on record for delays and/or canceled flights. To make matters worse, flights are fuller than ever, so if your flight is impacted, it can sometimes take days to get home.

President Bush is actually begging airlines to reduce flying (which would make airplanes more full and the rerouting even more painful). Personally, I think this is the wrong approach. I think the Feds should fix the air traffic control system pronto and allow for an increase in PFCs (passenger facility charge) to help pay for needed airport infrastructure improvements. The sooner the better…

Comments

Happy New Years to my neighbors out at Akron/Canton. Continue the tremendous work you do at your airport. Most airports are jealous of how well you have grown in just a 10 year span, and will continue growing in the future. I have flown it 10+ times in the last couple years, and will continue using it.

Right now my coalition of Airport Supporters are trying to help out the struggling Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. They have done a successful job with flights to Orlando aboard Allegiant Air (ALGT-Nasdaq), but they have not done much since then.

YNG needs to look at how well CAK has done over the years and perhaps take some tips from you guys. You run a very successful operation and should be commended for IT! You earn my award for the best airport in Ohio and the best operation of any government funded operation in the region.

GOOD LUCK IN 2007!

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