Airport Check-in: O'Hare eyes a bigger people-mover
Roger Yu, USA TODAY, 12/3/2007
CHICAGO: We're gonna need a bigger people-mover
Chicago officials say the people-mover at O'Hare is carrying more passengers than it was designed for, and they're considering expansion.
The people-mover "is now in danger of being severely taxed," says a city document prepared for the private companies interested in bidding for the expansion project. The city wants to add at least seven more train cars to its current fleet of 15, which will allow the system to run three-car trains instead of the current two. The system opened in 1993 and is capable of carrying 2,400 passengers an hour. It includes five stations and runs 2.7 miles through the terminals and parking facilities.
PHOENIX: Say goodbye to the old tower
Phoenix Sky Harbor is dismantling its 181-foot air traffic control tower. Located west of Terminal 3, the tower has been a distinctive part of Sky Harbor's landscape since its 1977 construction.
A new 326-foot tower, which opened in January, is handling traffic control duties. To demolish the tower, Terminal 3's pet park has been temporarily relocated, and the walkway between Terminals 2 and 3 closed for a few weeks.
DENVER: Free Wi-Fi comes with ads
Denver International is no longer charging for its wireless Internet access. The airport, which previously charged $7.95 a day, started the free Wi-Fi system in early November.
Under the pay system, about 20,000 users connected each month at the airport. "We've seen a double-digit (percentage) increase in the number of users," says spokesman Jeff Green. Users now must click through advertisements to access the Internet.
FORT MYERS, FLA.: On-site hotel could check in by 2010
Southwest Florida International is considering an on-site hotel. The airport is proposing a five-story, 175-room hotel south of the terminal connected by shuttle. Regional authorities have given preliminary approval for the plan to begin lease negotiations with BBL Development Group, the only company to respond to the airport's request for proposals. BBL, a development company in New York, plans to spend $22 million for the hotel, which is expected to be a Sheraton that would open in 2010.
GREENSBORO, N.C.: Airport offers incentives to boost travel
Starting in January, Piedmont Triad International will lower airlines' cost to board each passenger by about half for non-stop flights to new destinations.
The deal is good for three years. It now costs the airlines $4 to $5 a passenger.
"We'd like to see more low-cost service, as well as give the other airlines the opportunities to lower their fares and add new service," said airport director Ted Johnson. Other airports, including L.A./Ontario, are using the same strategy to boost service.
The airport is particularly interested in adding Baltimore, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Denver, Salt Lake City, Richmond, Va., and South Carolina cities Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
The airport, which has US Airways as its biggest tenant, has been steadily losing service and seeing average fares rise. Stiff competition from nearby Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte have contributed.
Piedmont's boarding fell to 1.1 million in 2006 from 1.3 million in 2005.