Rise and Fall of an Airline Hub

[Greysword]

I read an interesting interview on the Cranky Flier's blog with Brad Penrod, Executive Director/CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport (Allegheny County Airport Authority). They talk about the loss of US Airways hub and how it recovered by reinventing themselves and bringing in low-cost airlines.

The articles can be found:

Part 1:
http://crankyflier.com/2012/07/17/a...on-pittsburghs-rise-and-fall-as-a-hub-part-1/

Part 2:
http://crankyflier.com/2012/07/19/a...s-recovery-after-the-death-of-the-hub-part-2/

Yep, that’s the authority that oversees Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) one of the first mid-size cities to lose its hub when US Airways walked away nearly a decade ago. Brad has been with PIT since the early 1980s. That means he’s seen seen it all throughout his career, and he was there the day Pittsburgh opened its massive new 100 gate terminal in 1992. It was the first in the US to really try the mall-in-an-airport concept, and it worked well. But the hub only lasted for another decade. Now it is operating with half the number of gates it opened with.

Enjoy!

 

[DebbieB]

I read an interesting interview on the Cranky Flier's blog with Brad Penrod, Executive Director/CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport (Allegheny County Airport Authority). They talk about the loss of US Airways hub and how it recovered by reinventing themselves and bringing in low-cost airlines.

The articles can be found:

Part 1:
http://crankyflier.com/2012/07/17/a...on-pittsburghs-rise-and-fall-as-a-hub-part-1/

Part 2:
http://crankyflier.com/2012/07/19/a...s-recovery-after-the-death-of-the-hub-part-2/



Enjoy!

As a Pittsburgher and a business flyer, I disagree with "recovered". It's a shadow of its former self. Used to be planes were parked at almost every gate, now most are empty, especially on A and B. It's sad to see when you are taxing in and out. The most sign of life is on D, with Delta, United/Continental (they are still splitting between C and D) and American. When he talked about running out of gates to use, I'm sure he's referring to gates that are leased and available for use. There are many unleased, some have had the jetways removed plus A and B are partially boarded up inside.

It's a treat to have a trip where I don't have to connect. There are some non-stops to Los Angeles & San Francisco but they are 1 per day and not every day of the week plus inconvenient times. The only international flight is Delta to Paris and I don't think that's everyday.

Southwest came in as a saviour but has cut the number of flights, although I just read they will be adding Palm Beach next year. Others have come and gone, like Direct Air. He is painting a much rosier picture than it really is.

 

[keishashadow]

it's such a beautiful airport and a joy to travel through but so under utilized. Don't understand why it cannot serve as a hub vs those in NYC area where so many horror stories of sitting on tarmac.

it's hard to get there from here NS (New Orleans, Seattle, Miami -not to be confused with FLL).

re SWA adding Palm Beach in high (winter) season, betting they'll be diverting an existing route. PIT to MCO down to 2 NS a day and dates i've checked are either crack of dawn or late am...sigh

 

[Greysword]

Thanks for the great insight, Debbie and Keisha! It almost seems as though this is a portent for Memphis and Cincinnati, as Delta scales down their service in these NW hubs.

Is the population of Pittsburgh not flying much? This almost sounds like the same amount of traffic through Portland, OR, which should be the same size as Pittsburgh.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks for the great insight, Debbie and Keisha! It almost seems as though this is a portent for Memphis and Cincinnati, as Delta scales down their service in these NW hubs.

Is the population of Pittsburgh not flying much? This almost sounds like the same amount of traffic through Portland, OR, which should be the same size as Pittsburgh.

Actually I think the local boardings are up slightly. But losing all the connecting passengers was the killer. PIT was USAir's main hub at one time, over 500 flights a day, that's why the huge airport was built for them. Now they are down to around 30, mostly into their hubs. When I was flying alot for work 4 or 5 years ago, I think I set a record for the number of times through the Charlotte airport without ever leaving the airport. I learned to avoid Philadelphia like the plague, always problems. My western trips usually went through Phoenix.

I started flying Delta through Cincinnati and the same thing is happening there. They closed the commuter terminal, they reduced from two concourses to one. As much as everyone hates Atlanta, I usually connect there now, I like that they have more options available and Delta is currently flying about 8 or 10 flights a day there from PIT.