It might have looked for awhile as if something were wrong with Augusta. The community had to lure Continental Airlines here a few years ago with a fund-raising drive. The airline was soon gone.
Well, since then we've proved that nothing is wrong with the community, and that no bake sales are needed -- only affordable, reliable service.
Augustans have rewarded cheap, reliable air service in recent years with sharply increasing "emplanements": The number of passengers at Augusta Regional Airport climbed 12 percent last year over 2008, to 202,900. That's the most traffic since 2000. This January's passenger totals were also up over last January's.
How many other cities around the country did that last year?
As a result of all that -- and dogged effort by airport and economic development officials -- now arriving is a third airline, American Eagle, American Airlines' regional carrier. Beginning June 10, American Eagle will offer two daily nonstop flights to and from Dallas.
With American Eagle competing with Atlantic Southeast Airlines (Delta) and US Airways Express, that means not only more choices for fliers but likely more price pressure to keep flights cheap.
With Augustans' most desired locations still being Washington, D.C., and New York, it's possible direct flights to those cities will be in the offing too, either through a new carrier or an expansion by one of Augusta's three airlines.
This is huge for economic development, as major and minor businesses here crave easy in-and-out access. They've got it at Augusta Regional, one of the easiest and nicest airports around.
Now they've got more choices, and that's always a good thing.
I was out there today and just love the layout. I was especially impressed with the two dinky little filled up one hour parking lots at the extreme ends of the airport. And I really like having to drive all around the huge terf lot to get to passenger pick-up. Although it was boring to wait, the little thermos coffee nook is nice and the prices aren't bad if you just hit the lottery. But I will say I didn't see that many people coming in or leaving, for such a large facility. In conclusion, I try to make anyone coming here fly yo Columbia because the facilities are better and it is cheaper by a whole lot. I wonder, if we are so luckt, why is the shuttle busses making a killing between here and Atlanta?
Disssman, what a horribly boring life you must lead since you seem to have made a special trip to the airport just to find something to complain about. Apparently you have nothing better to do than to complain about anything and everything Augusta related, no matter how good the news is. How about doing something productive?
disssman did something productive. He gave us an "objective user opinion" of the airport. Most of the "increase" is due to military deployment". The rest is due to "SRS" activity. Flying on the "taxpayer dime". Government town. Government Airport. Always was, always will be. Easy Ride of Augusta is a much more dependable choice to Atlanta and definitely from Atlanta. There are shuttle vans running every hour from Columbus to Atlanta. They have connecting shuttle vans to Birmingham and Chattanooga. The shuttles don't cancel because the "vehicle is not filled to capacity". Adjacent to the shuttle vans are the "free" hotel/motel vans. You can still stay overnight for early flights. Door to door. No parking fees and no hassle.
Augusta air traffic has improved because of Ft. Gordon. The NSA is here to stay and military travelers always fly in and out of Augusta. Ditto, SRS activity.
Next, the completion of I-520 to I-20 makes it easier for those in SC to get to the airport. As the article today points out, Augusta offers better deals in some cases. Then we have the new terminal. It’s nice.
Aug. Reg. is so easy. Picking up visitors cost nothing if you are not in the parking lot with many available spots that long. When you give the person the ticket leaving, they simply say, no charge. Parking, friendly people and the lack of huge, Atlanta like crowds are a plus.
On the other side, this could be a test by AA, knowing with the upcoming Masters’ traffic they are going to make money to start in any case. We will see how it works out.
The CSRA is growing, but don’t think this has anything to do with downtown Augusta. I’m trying to pin down something I heard the other day. That was something like 15 businesses in the downtown area have closed in the past year or so. Maybe someone has the exact information.
RM, check with the Chamber of Commerce. I am sure they know which businesses closed and how many opened.
Dowtown Augusta is the key to the CSRA. As is the urban core in any metro across the united states. MOST of the construction and small business growth in the CSRA is downtown. I seriously doubt 15 businesses closed in 2009-2010. Im sure some businesses did close(Cloud Nine and Blue Magnolia) Downtown Augusta has average 70 new businesses opening a year between 2007-2010. I know Mi Rancho, Carribean Soul, a quilt store, The Zone, Club Pure, Velocity, Ivans Fitness Gallery & Nutrition, Du Jour Fine Foods, a furniture store on broad, Bees Knees, etc have opened this/last year. Not to mention the new residential popping up everywhere.
Our business growth has been significant, with a net gain of 70 new businesses for the past three years. Our growing residential population has increased significantly, and currently our downtown apartments are realizing a 96 percent occupancy rate.
http://chronicle.augusta.com/opinion/opinion-columns/2009-12-13/protecti...
Shuttle vans to Atlanta, spend the night, take the hotel bus to the ATL airport, go through long lines at the ticket counter, long lines at security, take the subway to your terminal, board the plane, taxi for 45 minutes to the new runway, and then you get to leave. Money for the shuttle, money for the hotel, tips for the van drivers, and according to today's newspaper, the airfare prices are about the same. Oh yes...then you have to repeat this just to get back to Augusta. Well, that is not for me. Augusta Regional is a very good airport, cheaper than Columbia by a LONG shot, and dependable. So, to everyone who wants to take the shuttle van to Atlanta...go ahead. More room in the Augusta airport parking lot for us sensible people.
JN1234 anyone that designs a major airport without a restaurant or with the toilets at the extreme ends of the building should never be used again. And anyone accepting a building to "serve" the public should show a little interest in said public. BYW I was there to pick-up friends and they dpn't care about saving a couple of hundred by taking the shuttel. But maybe you can tell me why the parking lots are at the extreme ends and why they are so small?
Amen, Localjay. There is something so easy and friendly about our airport that starts with the lack of auto traffic as you enter the airport, the plentiful cheap parking on into the friendly, unrushed folks inside. It's also notable that those who travel a lot pointed out the superiority of Aug. Reg.
In a few weeks, that's exactly how Aug. Reg. will look. Masters guests from the cold north happy to be here with planes landing often.
Riverman. And then they will rush out to the Masters and find out no body really wants them there, not even for a quick peek at the course. But really, do they all land at Aug Reg or do they mainly land at Daniel Field so they can have a quick take off. After all thats why we (taxpayers) pay for Daniel field isn't it? So the Corporate visitors don't have to mingle with people who live here. Need I say one of the Corporate welfare benefits. But of course that is welfare that is welcomed.
Disssman, the airport is just that, an AIRPORT. It is designed to provide a service, air travel, nothing more...I suppose you'd like to see restaurants in the DMV too huh? After all, they are public buildings designed to serve the public too. The Airport is not some place for the local citizens to go around and 'hang out' and get something to eat. Also, according to the airport's website, there are food services on site, and the building isn't THAT big, I feel sorry for you if you are unable to walk across that building to get to a restroom. Also, the parking lots are right in front of and beside the terminal, so that's hardly a long walk, plus, so what if they are a little far away, God forbid you people got a LITTLE exercise once in a while.
Dismann, MANY extra flights to Aug. Reg. are added during the Masters from all over the country. It's possible to get a cheap flight out during that time, by the way. Yeah, there is a small snack bar there that opens up around flight times.
There was a study of the average Masters' visitor and they are not that rich. They averaged something like a hundred thousand a year in income, but that was still lots more than the average Super Bowl visitor, which is rated the second best sporting event behind the Masters.
When you talk about those folks who fly into Daniel on their own jets, that's a whole other thing. Heck, who knows how much they have and where they go? We would all be surprised who visits the National during the winter.
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