Times are tough for airports, forcing them to consider unconventional revenue sources.
Miami-Dade County officials have approved a measure that authorizes the county manager to begin the process of possibly adding slot machines at Miami International.
Miami state Rep. Julio Robaina, who has been supportive of other gambling proposals in the past, told The Miami Herald that adding slots at Miami International could set a bad precedent. "Next thing it will be in a supermarket, in a mall," he said. "This is not something that I think would be beneficial to a community."
Earlier this year, a Maryland lawmaker also introduced a bill in the state Legislature to install 3,000 slot machines at Baltimore/Washington airport.
Indianapolis auctions off airport items
On Aug. 4, the Indianapolis Airport Authority will hold a public auction of surplus items resulting from closing the former Indianapolis International main terminal. Proceeds will be put toward airport revenue shortfalls and capital projects.
Among the items expected to be sold: plumbing and electrical fixtures, computers, tools, vehicles, a large iron Statue of Liberty, a 35-piece series of framed posters illustrating the life of Princess Diana, and aviation-themed banners and benches.
Some industrial items will be sold to airport service providers in a sealed bid process, including stair sets, aircraft maintenance tools, seating, service counters and luggage conveyors.
Indianapolis International's new $1.1 billion main terminal opened late last year.
Rental car facility back in gear
Citing recent signs of recovery in the global economy, Seattle-Tacoma says it will resume construction of a consolidated rental car facility. In December 2008, the airport suspended the $420 million project because a downturn in the credit market made selling bonds difficult at the time. The airport said then that it might delay the project for up to one year until long-term financing could be found.
But with the credit market starting to thaw, the airport sold revenue bonds of $317 million last month to finance the five-story facility, scheduled to open in 2012. It will accommodate about 10 rental car companies and house 5,400 vehicles.
Sea-Tac has been collecting a fee from rental car customers since February 2006 to help fund the project. The current $5 fee will rise to $6.05 when the garage opens in 2012.
Atlanta Hartsfield is adopting a new system in an effort to eliminate traffic congestion resulting from taxi drivers waiting on the roadways to enter the taxi assembly area in the airport's North Terminal. Drivers will take turns volunteering and standing near the entrance area with colored signs indicating when the area is full. Drivers will then be directed to another area on the lower level of the terminal, where they'll wait until space is available.
ROUTE NEWS
AirTran Airways is expanding in Florida. The carrier recently started service from Orlando to Charleston, W.Va.; Allentown, Pa.; and Fort Lauderdale. It will also add flights between Orlando and Flint, Mich., on Nov. 4, and from Akron-Canton, Ohio, to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers, Fla., in November.
Alaska Airlines has launched non-stop flights between Bellingham, Wash., and Las Vegas. The thrice-weekly service will be on Boeing 737-700 aircraft. A fourth weekly flight will start on Aug. 3.
Southwest Airlines will suspend non-stop service between Oakland and Seattle on Nov. 1. It will resume on Jan. 9.
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