Atlanta, Second Airport?

[gwiATLeman]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

So what if other cities nearby are already hubs? We could service an airline that doesn't already have a hub in the area (like a low-cost airline, there's a bunch of them out there). If airport expansion is what's needed, then why not go for that? The airport authority's already torn down neighborhoods on the east of Birmingham adjacent to the airport in preparation for some kind of expansion anyway.

What would it take for BHM to become a hub for an airline like Jet Blue or Air Tran (not necessarily those airlines but other airlines like that)?


And why would you drive to Atlanta for international flights? The last thing I want to do once I get back from overseas is drive for two hours. And I still don't think Birmingham airport should burden itself with Atlanta's airport traffic. Why? What has Atlanta done for us? Why are we so willing to do something for Atlanta when it's unlikely that they will ever return their favor? Isn't giving them our best and brightest minds enough?

I don't think Birmingham being a "second airport for Atlanta would work but it's not a matter of "Birmingham doing something for Atlanta".

The increased traffic would bring in increased revenue for the Birmingham airport and would likely create more non-stop routes which would be a great benefit to the local population and business community.

[PiperPig]

^ Exactly. Any airport built to alleviate plane traffic in Atlanta in another city will only benefit that city---not Atlanta. In that regard, please build one in Augusta. We will be happy and very thankful.

[gah]

Originally Posted by PiperPig

^ Exactly. Any airport built to alleviate plane traffic in Atlanta in another city will only benefit that city---not Atlanta. In that regard, please build one in Augusta. We will be happy and very thankful.

What he said! That is why I dont think it politicaly possible to construct and/or expand any other city's airport and pass it off as the 2d ATL airport. More is at stake than simply making it more convenient for N metro residents to get on flights. Such a facility would almost have to be somewhere in the greater metro area -- probably within 30 miles from DT without rail connection and as far as 50-60 miles with. Gainsville probably the limit on the northside, Athens on the east, either Carrolton or LaGrange on the west and Griffin or Thomaston on the south.

Sorry but I think Augusta is out of the running! But so too are Macon and Columbus. However, either Augusta, Macon or Columbus has a better shot than Chattanooga or B'ham of becoming the site of the 2d ATL airport. IMHO.

[PiperPig]

^ Haha. I think you're right on with your assessment. Most people in Augusta are more than happy to hop on the 2 hour happy expressway (I-20) to Atlanta in order to get that $300 ticket to LA that would cost $600 out of Augusta. Most in Atlanta, however, would not be willing drive that far.

Why drive 2 hours for Applebees when you got an Outback down the street.

[Insomniac]

How would taking on Atlanta's airport traffic benefit us? All we'd be doing is spending more money to expand our airport and our airport services to take on their traffic. It's not a guarantee that that money would be made back. It's a risky investment, in other words.


As for driving to Atlanta, well the drive may be short but the flight is even shorter. 20 minutes tops. I've done it in 14 myself. And from Birmingham, a lot of times the cost is not that much higher, it really depends on the situation. Sometimes it may even be cheaper.


As I said before, having flown overseas I can tell you that I personally would not get off of a 12 hour flight and then drive or even just sit in a car for two damn hours.

[Bham24yrold]

Dude the benefits are quite obvious, I dont know about you but I hate "Airport Hoping" just to get somewhere, so having the chance to have more non-stop flights to hot destinations at an airport 30 mins away rather than 2 hrs is enough for me to throw the idea out there.

This metro is not in any position to turn our nose to any idea that could boost the metro's profile. Its airplanes for crying out loud, your going nuts like Atlanta wants to dump its trash here or something.

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

OK.


What do they need 747s for? Is Birmingham planning on adding more nonstop flights or something?

Hardly. I imagine it's to increase cargo operational capacity. Cargo carriers make more regular use of 747s. HSV, the busiest cargo airport in Alabama, regularly sees cargo 747s.

[Insomniac]

That must be why it's called "Huntsville International Airport", the cargo 747s must be the ones flying internationally. I seriously doubt an airport that size has any nonstop, international commerical flights. I don't even think Birmingham has any, even if you include flights to Canada, the Bahamas, and Mexico.

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

That must be why it's called "Huntsville International Airport", the cargo 747s must be the ones flying internationally. I seriously doubt an airport that size has any nonstop, international commerical flights. I don't even think Birmingham has any, even if you include flights to Canada, the Bahamas, and Mexico.

Last I checked, BHM didn't have any passenger flights to non-US cities. HSV has passenger flights to roughly 10 or 11 other US airports. The bulk of flights are Delta to ATL and American to DFW. Other destinations are Memphis, Charlotte, O'Hare, Detroit, Cincy, Houston, Denver, Dulles and Reagan in DC, and Orlando.

Cargo 747s out of HSV regularly fly to Europe and Asia. The cargo operations and Foreign Trade Zone are on the east side of the airport along Wall-Triana Hwy.

[Insomniac]

Oh yeah, I've flown from HSV to MCO, DTW, and ORD, and of course, that 2 minute flight to ATL


HSV is actually a pretty good airport for a city its size. The only thing I don't really like about it is (and I suppose this is because it's such a small airport) when I fly out of there, I always end up on some small ass plane that has my knees touching my forehead


I'm 6'3" and they always end up putting me on planes that are really nothing more than school bus with wings. It's ridiclous. But I digress.


BTW, are the international flights related to Redstone Arsenal (since it's on the east side of the airport by Wall-Triana)?

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Oh yeah, I've flown from HSV to MCO, DTW, and ORD, and of course, that 2 minute flight to ATL


HSV is actually a pretty good airport for a city its size. The only thing I don't really like about it is (and I suppose this is because it's such a small airport) when I fly out of there, I always end up on some small ass plane that has my knees touching my forehead


I'm 6'3" and they always end up putting me on planes that are really nothing more than school bus with wings. It's ridiclous. But I digress.


BTW, are the international flights related to Redstone Arsenal (since it's on the east side of the airport by Wall-Triana)?

Redstone's probably part of the reason, but a lot of it has to do with the tech industry and other plants in the area. Cargolux and Panalpina are the big cargo carriers out of HSV. It's acutally a huge airport for a metro area of this size. Runways 18R and 18L are 12,600 and 10,000 ft long. 18R is the second-longest commercial runway in the Southeastern US, next to the big one at MIA.

[YEROCAL]

Well I think that Macon has a better chance of the getting the 2nd airport than any of the cities you mention because of it's location in GA, the interstate access (I-75, I-475 & I-16) which make easy travel in and out of the city from any where in Ga. and there are plans to connect Macon and ATL with Commuter Rail. Also there has been talks now lately of Macon's airport becoming a reliever for HFJ/ATL airport, also Macon City Council agreed to hire an aviation company that will open new air service between Macon and metro Washington, D.C. because there would be a huge market" for flights between Macon and D.C., and that Middle Georgia residents would rather hop aboard a jet in their backyard than drive to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The company is an Atlanta-based Aviation Advantage Inc. that will start up daily services to Dulles International Airport outside of the nation's capital. The airline will operate under the name "Southern Skyways," and will offer one-way fares expected to range from $110 to $179, if all goes according to plan, flights could be under way by November, Macon will help fund the creation of the new route with a $500,000 grant the city accepted in 2005 from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Aviation Advantage will contract with another company to provide the actual flight service. It will market the routes and promote the airline using the city's grant money. In addition, the city of Macon is negotiating with TBI an Aviation Management company that has promise to grow business at Macon’s airport to over 1million passengers a year. Also the City Council committee has given initial approval to the airport budget that includes money needed to hire TBI Airport Management Inc. and to expand the airport's commercial flight offerings.

Article:
http://www.macon.com/198/story/70634.html

[YEROCAL]

Also to add,TBI Airport Management Inc macon plans to hire manages a divison of HFJ/ATL airport and is working to help lean the ideas of the 2nd airport in Macon.. Which I heard had a lot of pull at the airport.... Which is well known for it experience & success in airport Management and planning also TBI manages an airport in OrLando,Fl

[Lexy]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

BTW, are the international flights related to Redstone Arsenal (since it's on the east side of the airport by Wall-Triana)?

Some are but the majority are for business' in that region. I am really good friends with the "Top Dog" of the cargo operations out of HSV.

[Rebelde-Dude]

This would cripple Delta,no?

WN already wants the Atlanta market, and B6 would love to get some of Deltas crown jewel market.

let us also not forget Aitrans heavy presence in Hartsfield.

I guess if Delta has enough FFers, it is of all good?

[johnatl]

B6 (jetBlue) has already been here......and left with their tail between their legs. Southwest has publicly stated for years that they have no interest in serving Atlanta, but who knows?

[YEROCAL]

Macon's Mayor C. Jack Ellis said in thursday news paper that he’s talked to Atlanta’s Mayor, Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson director and they assured him that Macon’s airport will apart of the study for a 2nd airport. The aviation company TBI which Macon Plans to hire to direct and it's airport, operate a huge divison at Hartsfield-Jackson and has a lot of pull there at airport and with the city of atlanta, they I heard also really pushing for the 2nd airport to be move to Macon because that is apart of there plans to grow Macon's airport. With TBI pushing for the 2nd airport to be move to Macon, it's centralized Location, proposed rail, interestate access, Macon is standing out among the rest..

[gwiATLeman]

Originally Posted by YEROCAL

Macon's Mayor C. Jack Ellis said in thursday news paper that he’s talked to Atlanta’s Mayor, Shirley Franklin and Hartsfield-Jackson director and they assured him that Macon’s airport will apart of the study for a 2nd airport. The aviation company TBI which Macon Plans to hire to direct and it's airport, operate a huge divison at Hartsfield-Jackson and has a lot of pull there at airport and with the city of atlanta, they I heard also really pushing for the 2nd airport to be move to Macon because that is apart of there plans to grow Macon's airport. With TBI pushing for the 2nd airport to be move to Macon, it's centralized Location, proposed rail, interestate access, Macon is standing out among the rest..

It may be a part of the study and will likely someday absorb some metro traffic but the second Atl airport will not be in Macon...sorry. With the population disparity between the northside and the southside, anyplace south of Hartsfield is the only area the doesn't make sense and it would be difficult to do politically.

[Hankster]

Originally Posted by gwiATLeman

It may be a part of the study and will likely someday absorb some metro traffic but the second Atl airport will not be in Macon...sorry. With the population disparity between the northside and the southside, anyplace south of Hartsfield is the only area the doesn't make sense and it would be difficult to do politically.

I agree. If Atlanta builds a second airport, it will be almost certainly North of the city. That is where the most people live, and where the most money and political power exists.