Airport & Airport Parking News – January 9, 2012
Airlines Oppose Philadelphia Airport Extension
From time to time I do a travel news roundup. This week, it’s an airport edition, including some news on airport parking. First up is the news that US Airways has opposed the planned expansion of Philadelphia International Airport, which will include a runway running alongside the Delaware. According to the airline the expansion will not address the key issues of delay reduction and traffic congestion, nor will it attract the international nonstop air service desired by many of those in the business and hospitality industry.
The airlines (other opponents of the scheme include Southwest Airlines, Delta and UPS) and the city differ widely in their estimates of the value and the cost of the scheme. The city says it will cost $6.4bn and bring up to 100,000 jobs; the airlines put the tab at closer to $10.5bn and say the jobs figures have no base in reality. Another key issue is the timing of the construction of the new runway. The city wants to push ahead with it, while the airlines would like to tie their financial commitment to benchmarks including economic improvement or resolving airspace issues.
The two sides remain at loggerheads. Read the full story here and check out our Philadelphia airport parking rates.
New JetBlue Routes and Watertown Expansion
In other news, JetBlue has started a nonstop daily service to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Bradley International Airport, MA. An additional service to West Palm Beach will also start this week. Meanwhile, the expansion of Watertown International Airport’s terminal is nearly complete, with a new passenger waiting area, upgraded baggage claim and plans to install an on-site car rental franchise.
SmartPark Gets iPhone App
Finally, if you’re planning to park at our SmartPark JFK airport parking location, your job is even easier with the facility’s airport parking reservation iPhone app. You can even get parking rewards with the app, so download it today.
Tags: air travel, Airport Parking, airport parking reservations, off airport parking, travel
January 13th, 2012 at 11:47 am
It seems as though Philadelphia International Airport needs to set priority to the real issues of delays and congestion, two problems that you’ll find at almost every airport. That is an enormous amount of money to spend on airport construction improvements that do not even directly address the core issues. Why is the city pushing for these additions so adamantly when it will drain so much funding? Finally, has anyone personally used the iPhone app for JFK Airport Parking and can attest to its conveniences? There should be apps for Android phones as well!