Augusta airport plans disappointed by Delta

Web posted March 17, 2000

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By Heidi Coryell
Staff Writer

Upcoming efforts to improve air service and ticket prices at Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field likely will focus less on the airport's biggest carrier, Delta Air Lines, after a Wednesday meeting with a senior official of the airline.

After meeting with Douglas Blissit, Delta's vice president for network analysis, local business and political leaders learned that their timeline to add more direct flights to 10 top market cities and to lower fares at the Augusta airport was at least two years ahead of the carrier's plans for improvement. Mr. Blissit deferred comment to spokeswoman Cindi Kurczewski on Thursday.

``We work on three-year plans, and our forecasts aren't sufficient within the next three years to improve service in Augusta,'' Ms. Kurczewski said.

OTHER STORIES: • Aviation groups come to airport's aid • Aviation commission looks to GAIN • New airport promotions prepare for takeoff • Airport hopes to see funds • Experts push master plan for airport • Airport ignores funding • Board moves to study expansion • Inspectors: Airport outdated • Commission rethinks airport plan • Commission OKs design of new terminal • Airport gets fund priority • City sets sights on airport facilities • City looks to land major airlines • Local leaders discuss airline service goals • Delta jets to depart from area • Airport panel OKs new terminal plan • Growth alarms officials • Augusta's size hurts airport expansion plan • Firms vie for airport plan • More airlines doubtful • Problems hurt Bush Field • Airport business picks up • Augusta airport plans disappointed by Delta

Delta provides about 80 percent of the air service out of Augusta Regional, with US Airways Express providing the remainder.

Augusta officials, including state Sen. Don Cheeks, Augusta Mayor Bob Young and members of several local aviation-related commissions, had hoped meeting with the airline would ``level the playing field'' for walk-up and seven-day advance air fares -- tickets typically purchased by business travelers.

``We would have loved to hear Delta make some announcements about improvements in air service, but it's better to know what their plans are so we can be realistic in our expectations,'' said Al McDill, director of Augusta Regional. ``This should send a message to other carriers.''

The most obvious next step for Augusta, he said, is to increase competition at the airport. One way to do this would be to persuade US Airways Express, the only non-Delta carrier at Augusta Regional, to offer more flights on Canadair Regional Jets, as opposed to the propeller planes now used.

The local airport also will continue to court several other airlines, including Continental, United Airlines and Northwest Airlines, he said.

Representatives from at least two airlines have been invited to attend the Masters Tournament as part of that courting process. Mr. McDill declined to identify which carriers would be in attendance.

Airport studies show Augusta loses about 36 percent of its market to Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport.

Area officials say they could take that market share back if local prices were lower and there were more jet-propelled aircraft flying out of Augusta Regional.

But Delta told Augusta representatives it rarely adds service to a market that lacks a growing customer base.

Delta reports that Augusta produces fewer passengers per departure than any other market the airline serves from its Atlanta hub. On average, Augusta has about 78 passengers per departure. Savannah International Airport has 131 passengers per flight, the airline's highest per-flight average.

Five years ago, Savannah International had only three carriers -- ValuJet, Delta Air Lines and US Airways -- with 55 percent of its market share going to Delta. Today the airport has seven carriers, with passengers more evenly distributed among the airlines.

``Everyone spreads their travel dollar around to where it makes the best sense,'' said Bob Uhrich, director of air-service development for Savannah Airport Commission. ``But some other cities haven't been as fortunate as us.''

Savannah has seen an economic boom in recent years, with several major companies locating their headquarters in the area. Business travelers are the biggest moneymaking fares for airlines.

Augusta-area business fliers often drive to airports in Columbia or Atlanta because they offer nonstop service to major cities and fares that are consistently lower.

On average, Procter & Gamble Co. flies about 20 employees a week from Augusta to its headquarters in Cincinnati. About a quarter of the time, those business travelers will fly out of Columbia or Atlanta, company spokesman Harold Petteway said.

``It's mostly a time issue, although fares also play a part,'' Mr. Petteway said. ``If we fly from Augusta, we have to catch a connecting flight out of Atlanta. It takes about an extra hour and a half.''

Reach Heidi Coryell at (706) 823-3215.