DAYTON | In recent years, airport hassles, slow commuter planes and air fares might have prompted Bryan Bucklew to drive to Chicago for a business meeting.  But the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce vice president said he'll fly to a meeting there in two weeks because he was able to book a round-trip flight from Dayton on a US Airways Express regional jet for $114.  "By the time you account for parking and toll fees, it's cheaper for me to fly," he said last week.

 

Bucklew said the attraction of low fares and jet service are important factors in the double-digit traffic growth Dayton International Airport has enjoyed — up 14.7 percent through July this year over the same period in 2003 — even as two of its top three airlines struggle to avoid bankruptcy.  Buckler said he believes those same factors will continue to support air service in Dayton even as the major airlines go through sweeping, painful reorganizations.

 

But the two airlines most in the news lately are major sources of air service for Dayton and are economically important in different ways.  Atlanta-based Delta, which announced a major reorganization Wednesday, carries nearly twice as many passengers as either of the next two busiest airlines, AirTran and US Airways.  Delta and its Delta Connection regional carriers accounted for 29 percent of the 10 airlines that served Dayton in the first seven months of this year, according to airport figures.

 

More at http://www.daytondailynews.com

From the 6/1/05 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Dayton airport adds flights

 

Travelers from Dayton International Airport will have a direct flight to Miami for the first time in more than 10 years.  American Eagle is scheduled to begin a daily flight Aug. 1 to Miami International Airport, the airport announced Wednesday.  It will be the first Miami service since Dayton served as a hub for the former Piedmont Airlines in the late 1980s.

 

Several other airlines plan to launch additional direct flights out of Dayton this summer, including daily trips to Baltimore and Memphis, Tenn.  AirTran Airways will add its second nonstop flight to Baltimore/Washington International Airport June 7.  Northwest Airlines plans to add its third nonstop flight to Memphis International Airport.  Also, Frontier Airlines is set to begin operations out of Dayton Aug. 31, restoring direct Denver service to the local airport for the first time in more than a decade.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/05/30/daily11.html

 

From the 6/6/05 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Airport traffic continues descent

 

Passenger traffic at Dayton International Airport dropped 21.5 percent in April compared to April 2004, the airport announced Monday.  A total of 98,442 passengers boarded flights in April in Dayton, down from the 125,418 that did so in April 2004.

 

Year to date, passenger traffic is down more than 14.5 percent.  For the first four months of the year, 392,371 travelers departed Dayton, down from the 458,764 during the same period last year.

 

One of the reasons for the decline was the loss of three carriers: US Airways Express's Piedmont, Atlantic Coast Jet -- which flew for Delta Airlines Inc. and United Express -- and the ATA Connection.  The loss of those carriers accounted for more than 11,300 passengers.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/06/06/daily4.html

 

From the 6/23/05 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Passenger traffic declines in May at airport

 

Passenger traffic at Dayton International Airport continued its descent in May, once again seeing a drop in travelers.  Figures released Wednesday afternoon showed the number of passengers leaving Dayton in May dropped 18.2 percent compared with May 2004, with 102,289 passengers this May and 125,014 the same month in 2004.

 

The drop brought the total decline for 2005 so far to 15 percent. For the first five months of 2005, 495,939 passengers departed Dayton compared with the 583,778 passengers that did so in the same period in 2004.  United Airlines saw the largest drop for the month at 25.7 percent, as well as the year with a 24.6 percent drop. 

 

The only major carrier to post positive numbers for May was American Airlines, with 15,020 passengers in May, compared with May 2004's 14,425 passengers, or a 4.1 percent increase.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/06/20/daily20.html?from_rss=1

 

From the 8/3/05 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Airport passenger numbers continue decline

 

Passenger numbers at Dayton International Airport decreased 20 percent in June compared to the same period last year.  That marks the sixth consecutive month the airport posted declining numbers.  The number of passengers for the first half of the year is down 16 percent compared to last year, according to figures released Wednesday morning.

 

In June, 112,344 passengers boarded planes in Dayton, compared with the 140,672 in June 2004.  For the first six months of this year, 608,283 passengers flew from Dayton, compared with the 724,450 that did so for the same period last year.

 

Delta Airlines Inc. had the largest drop for the month among the major carriers, with a 28.8 percent decline.  Delta had 27,943 fliers in June compared with 39,250 fliers for the same month in 2004.  Delta was followed closely by United Airlines, which had a 26.5 percent drop with June's 11,221 passengers compared with last June's 15,270 passengers.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/08/01/daily18.html?from_rss=1

 

I suprised Dayton dosen't try to compete with Cinci like CAK Airport tries to compete with CLeveland.

Akron-Canton airport is booming, although that may be due to Cleveland's airport being so mediocre for a metro of its size.

 

Still Dayton gets about twice as many passengers as Toledo's airport, so things could be worse.

I suprised Dayton dosen't try to compete with Cinci like CAK Airport tries to compete with CLeveland.

I don't know if it ever can. it's like comparing NYC to  Lexington.

^I wouldn't go that far with the exaggeration but it's partly true.  Cincinnati's airport is international; Dayton's is domestic with maybe a flight to Canada.  So Dayton can never compete with a Delta stronghold but it can be a damn good second airport (think LaGuardia).

From the 8/31/05 Dayton Daily News:

 

Frontier is ready to take off

First Denver-Dayton arrival scheduled for tonight

By Timothy R. Gaffney

Dayton Daily News

 

DAYTON | Frontier Airlines Flight 4191 will open a new chapter in airline service at Dayton International Airport when it lands here this evening.  It will mark the first arrival in Frontier's new, nonstop service between Dayton and Denver, Colo.

 

The three-hour flight will knock more than an hour off the time and eliminate a connection.  Until now, travelers have had to change planes in Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis or St. Louis.  Airport officials hope the new service will help stem Dayton's yearlong slump in passenger traffic.

 

Passenger boardings at Dayton International were down 16.8 percent for the first seven months this year, according to airport figures.  The decline started in December 2004 after growing more than 11 percent through November.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/content/business/daily/0831frontier.html

 

From the 1/5/06 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Airport passenger numbers continue to fall

 

The number of passengers traveling through Dayton International Airport continued to decrease in November compared with the same month in 2004.  The decrease brings the decline in passengers for the year to 17 percent compared with the same time in 2004.  Airport figures released Wednesday afternoon showed 100,531 passengers flew out of Dayton in November 2005, down about 12 percent from the 114,014 that flew in November 2004.

 

More than 1.1 million people passed through the airport for the first 11 months of 2005, down from the 1,337,448 who traveled in the same period in 2004.  Passenger numbers have dropped each month of 2005.

 

Three airlines increased the number of passengers.  AirTran Airways posted the largest gain, with a 39 percent increase in November 2005 compared with November 2004.  Skyway saw a 24.3 percent increase, going from 490 passengers in November 2004 to 609 in November 2005.  American Airlines also saw an increase, but it wasn't enough to pull the airline out of the negative for the year.

 

Full article at http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/01/02/daily13.html?from_rss=1

 

What do they mean continued? Did it decrease in 2002 and 2003 also?

What do they mean continued? Did it decrease in 2002 and 2003 also?

 

I think they are referring to that fact that passenger numbers have dropped each month of 2005.

 

"Passenger numbers have dropped each month of 2005."

 

What dfly said.

From the 7/5/06 Dayton Daily News:

 

Dayton airport competing for passengers

By Joanne Huist Smith

Staff Writer

 

DAYTON | The billboards are set against the greater Cincinnati-area skyline along Interstate 75, but their message is all Dayton.  "Closer than you think. Dayton International Airport. Easy to and through."

 

The Dayton airport is fighting back.  In 2005, about 20 percent of the passengers from Montgomery and surrounding counties chose an airport other than Dayton for their flights.  Cincinnati grabbed the biggest share, according to JumpStart 2006, a report by the Dayton Air Service Development Team.

 

Dayton airport officials are working to lure them back.  "If they give us an opportunity, we can prove to them that we can deliver," said Harvey Wortham, acting airport director.  Dayton had enjoyed a steady increase in passengers — up 14 percent in 2003 and another 10 percent in 2004.  The trend reversed in 2005, when Delta launched Simple Fares, lowering rates in Cincinnati.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/070506airlines.html

 

While passenger leakage certainly exists from Montgomery County to CVG and other airports, I wouldn't doubt that the 20% figure is more than made up by people traveling the opposite direction from Hamilton and Warren counties to DAY alone. The airport also attracts passengers from Columbus, especially for the low fares provided by AirTran and Frontier.

 

Also, as the article mentions, Delta's Simplifares (not Simple Fares) out of CVG haven't been the sole driving force behind DAY's recent revert to declining passenger numbers. A combination of more prevalent factors have set DAY back in recent months, including a pullback by both AirTran and Delta in the Florida market from DAY, as well as cutbacks by both American and USAirways. I think what we're seeing now is a right-sizing of the market. My guess is that DAY will see another decline in '06 or remain stagnant at best. The next year will likely see an uptick in travel, by in large spurred by Dayton's two low-fare carriers, AirTran and Frontier, which both are forecasted to see healthy growth in the next year.

 

Either way, kudos to Dayton's Air Service Development Team for keeping a keen eye on airport patronage. They realize that the environment in which they exists is cutthroat, with several nearby airports all vying for a greater share of the pie. I definitely think they are poised to see a resurgance in passengers number by next year at the latest.

The "simple fares" thing is a joke.  Prices are still the most expensive around and the program/pricing is totally confusing.

Simplifares was most definitely a marketing gimmick. The program capped the highest possible fares at a certain level and eased restrictions on others. So long story short, Delta didn't start offering $99 one-way fares to L.A. from CVG, and likely never will. Besides, the Simplifares program lasted only a few months, and as far as I know, no longer exists with the company still fighting through bankruptcy.

OK...so my question is does anyone know or have an update on the new control tower they are suppose to build at DAY? I really hope it gets built, the renderings are beautiful...last I heard the project was on hold. So, any info would be great...

 

 

City touts increased airport traffic

By Timothy R. Gaffney

Staff Writer

 

DAYTON — City officials gathered at Dayton International Airport Thursday morning to tout an upturn in passenger traffic, expanded airline services and efforts to bring new business onto the airport.  The number of passengers flying from Dayton was up 5.6 percent for the first five months this year over the same period last year, and May's traffic was up 11 percent over May 2005, acting airport director Harvey Wortham said.  He said the airport expects figures for June to show continued growth. 

 

Officials also announced recent or upcoming additions in airline service.

 

• AirTran Airlines has added a daily nonstop flight to Atlanta, its fifth.

 

• Frontier has upgraded from regional jets to 114-seat Airbus A318s and 132-seat A319s.

 

• United last month expanded service to Dulles Airport near Washington, D.C., and Chicago's O'Hare.

 

• In September, Continental is to expand service to Newark and Houston, US Airways is to upgrade early-morning flights to Philadelphia from 50-seat to 70-seat regional jets, and Delta is to add a daily nonstop flight to Atlanta, its ninth.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/business/content/business/daily/070706airport.html

 

From the 9/12/06 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Dayton airport traffic rises this summer

Dayton Business Journal - September 12, 2006

 

The Dayton International Airport saw growth in summer traffic, bolstered by attractive fare rates.  Passenger traffic grew 7.2 percent in July, compared with July 2005, and 5.9 percent year-to-date, according to a Tuesday press release.

 

The airport's busiest carrier, AirTran Airways, saw 23,600 passengers in July, 14.2 percent more than July 2005.  Other top airlines in the month included Delta Air Lines with 22,000 passengers and U.S. Airways with 19,300 passengers.

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/09/11/daily9.html?surround=lfn

 

*Yippee!*

From the 9/23/06 DDN:

 

Dayton airport traffic still on the rise, report says

New carriers cited as part of the reason for the increase in departing passengers.

Dayton Daily News

Saturday, September 23, 2006

 

DAYTON — Passenger traffic has increased so far this year at Dayton International Airport, with figures through the end of July up by 5.9 percent from a year earlier, city officials said Friday.  The number of departing passengers on commercial flights through the end of July was 759,483, compared with 716,852 a year earlier, administrators at the city-owned airport reported.

 

New air service from carriers including AirTran, Frontier, Delta and United helped to increase the passenger volume, said Harvey Wortham, acting director of Dayton's airport.  Dayton has 13 airlines serving 20 major destinations across the United States.

 

By comparison, the total of departing passengers at the larger Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport had declined by 30 percent to 4,798,820 through July 31 this year, compared with 6,954,313 for the same period in 2005.  Delta Air Lines, which entered bankruptcy reorganization in September 2005, and its wholly owned Comair commuter airline are the dominant carriers at the Cincinnati airport.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/09/23/ddn092306airport.html

 

Airport announces new director

Dayton Business Journal - September 28, 2006

 

Closing a 14-month search, the city introduced Thursday the director of the department of aviation, which manages the Dayton International Airport.  Iftikhar Ahmad's first day will be Oct. 30 and comes by way of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, where he has been a vice president since November 2002.  He led the department of planning, design and construction.  The MNAA owns and operates Nashville International Airport, which has nine million travelers pass through annually, and a general aviation airport.

 

Ahmad also worked with the City of Houston's department of aviation, serving in a variety of positions between 1997 and 2002.  The Houston airport is one of the largest in the country, includes four facilities and serves about 42 million passengers a year.

 

Ahmad said he will look for ways to drive non-airline revenue, such as dollars from parking, tenants and concessions, to support the airport.  He said his top job will be figuring out a new use for the former UPS freight hub and working to replace the lease revenue generated by the now-empty facility.

 

More at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/

From the 10/30/06 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Passengers up, cargo down at Dayton airport

Dayton Business Journal - October 30, 2006

 

Passenger traffic at the Dayton International Airport was up in August and September while air cargo numbers were down, according to a report released late Friday.  In August, passenger traffic was up 10 percent compared with the prior year period and 6.5 percent year-over-year.  In September, passenger traffic was up 2 percent for the month and 6 percent year-to-date.

 

The airport's busiest carrier, Delta Airlines, saw 21,826 passenger in August, down 9 percent from the prior year, and 22,046 passengers in September, down 3 percent from September 2005.  The second top airline, AirTran Airways, saw 22 percent more customers in August (20,829 total) compared with the prior year and 16 percent more in September (19,323 total).

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/10/30/daily1.html?surround=lfn

 

From the 11/11/06 DDN:

 

Frontier Airlines: Dayton response a pleasant surprise

By Timothy R. Gaffney

Staff Writer

Saturday, November 11, 2006

 

DAYTON — Frontier Airlines entered the Dayton market at a time when passenger service was slumping, but the company's CEO says its experience here has been "exactly what we hoped would happen."  Jeff Potter, chief executive officer of the Denver, Colo.-based carrier, spoke at a Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday on his first visit to Dayton.

 

Frontier began nonstop service between Dayton International Airport and its Denver hub on Aug. 31 last year with two daily flights on 70-seat regional jets.  Since then, the carrier has upgraded the line to 132-seat Airbus 319s.

 

It flew 3,185 passengers in September 2005, its first full month of Dayton service, according to airport figures.  Its monthly figures since then have ranged from that level to as high as 6,749 in July.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2006/11/11/ddn111106frontier.html

 

From the 12/6/06 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Airport gets boost in traffic

Dayton Business Journal - December 6, 2006

 

The Dayton International Airport saw an 11 percent increase in passenger traffic in October, according to figures released Wednesday by the airport.  Airlines that experienced gains included: AirTran Airways, 25 percent; US Airways, 12 percent; United Airlines, 22 percent; Continental Express, 25 percent; Frontier Airlines, 27 percent; Midwest Connect, 16 percent; and American Airlines, 1.7 percent.

 

Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines saw passenger traffic fall by 16 percent and 25 percent, respectively, in October.  Year to date, passenger traffic at the airport grew 6.5 percent to 1.1 million.  The Dayton International Airport has 13 airlines serving 20 major destinations across the country.

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2006/12/04/daily19.html?surround=lfn

From the 1/5/07 DDN:

 

Dayton airport traffic slips a bit

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Friday, January 05, 2007

 

Dayton International Airport got a little less busy in 2006 as the total number of takeoffs and landings fell by 10 percent from the prior year, according to preliminary figures the Federal Aviation Administration released Friday.  Takeoffs and landings at Dayton totaled 108,633 in the year just ended, compared with 121,123 in 2005.  The FAA figures include commercial carriers, charter and private aircraft, and military flights.

 

Other airports around the country also experienced declines, according to the FAA findings.  Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport — where primary carrier Delta Air Lines reduced its flight schedules by 25 percent a year ago — saw takeoffs and landings fall by 30 percent, from 495,452 in 2005 to 345,758 last year.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/01/05/ddn010507airportsweb.html

 

---

From the 1/5/07 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Traffic rises at the Dayton International Airport

Dayton Business Journal - January 5, 2007

 

Traffic at the Dayton International Airport grew 12 percent in November 2006 compared with November 2005.  Almost 113,000 passengers flew in November, compared with 100,500 in the same month the prior year, according to data released Friday.  Year-to-date, 1.2 million passengers flew, compared with 1.1 million in the prior year period.

 

Airlines that saw increases included Delta Airlines Inc. with an 11 percent increase from November 2005 to November 2006; AirTran Airways, 12 percent; U.S. Airways, 13 percent; United Airlines, 25 percent; and Continental Express, 40 percent. American Airlines saw an 8 percent decline.  The Dayton International Airport has 13 airlines serving 20 major destinations across the country.

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/01/01/daily22.html?surround=lfn

 

Passenger boardings up at Dayton Airport

By Dayton Daily News

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

 

DAYTON — Passenger boardings at Dayton International Airport increased 7 percent in 2006 over the prior year and were up by 10 percent in January over the same month in 2006, the airport administration reported on Tuesday.  Aircraft operations — takeoffs and landings — were down 9 percent in 2006 from the year before, and fell by 10 percent in December and 7 percent in January.

 

That category was affected by United Parcel Service's closing in June 2006 of its air freight hub at the airport, which eliminated about 1,210 jobs there at the former Emery Air Freight facility.  There were 1.3 million boardings during 2006, compared with 1.22 million for 2005.  In December 2006, the total of 105,315 was a 4 percent improvement from 101,220 in December 200, the administration said.  In January of this year, the total was 100,491, up from 90,968 a year earlier.

 

The increased passenger traffic indicates that Dayton International remains a viable regional alternative to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Port Columbus International Airport, said Sharon Sears, spokeswoman for the Dayton airport.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/03/06/ddn030607airportweb.html

Couldn't find the appropriate thread:

 

Airport's short-term parking rates double

By Joanne Huist Smith

Staff Writer

Friday, March 23, 2007

 

DAYTON — Maximum rates for short-term parking at Dayton International Airport have more than doubled to discourage motorists from using the lot for overnight and long-term stays.  The short-term, open-air lot was designed for airport patrons dropping off or picking up passengers, or for stays of several hours.  Because the rate was low, $1 per hour or $12 per day maximum, people ignored posted signs that declared 'no overnight parking,' " airport spokeswoman Sharon Sears said.

 

Airport officials hope the increase in maximum parking rates to $25 per day for the short-term lot will be a more effective deterrent than the signs.  In comparison, patrons of the Port Columbus International Airport also pay a $25 maximum for short-term parking, but that service is in a garage.

 

Dayton's hourly parking rate, at all airport lots, also has increased from $1 per hour to $2.  Bargain hunters will still find the cheapest daily maximum rate at the Dayton airport in the economy lot, $5 per day or $30 a week.  Maximum parking rates at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport remain in line with Dayton's former rates, $12 a day for short-term and $7 a day for long term.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/03/23/ddn032307airportparkingweb.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

 

State targets $2.5M to improve Dayton airport

April 13, 2007 | ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

DAYTON - Gov. Ted Strickland is setting aside $2.5 million for improvements at Dayton International Airport.  Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said Thursday the funds for changes at the airport's Concourse D come from the governor's executive budget.  Fisher also serves as director of the Ohio Department of Development.

 

Development and the state's Department of Transportation will work on Ohio airport improvements as economic development projects, Fisher said.  Dayton's airport will be the first to receive this funding, pending the Legislature's approval. 

 

The Dayton International Airport in southwest Ohio serves a 12-county, three-state region.  In 2006 more than 1 million passengers traveled through.

 

Dayton to offer nonstop flights to Las Vegas

By Joanne Huist Smith

Staff Writer

Thursday, April 19, 2007

 

Flights from Dayton International Airport to Las Vegas will soon be quicker.  Dayton Aviation Director Iftikhar Ahmad announced Wednesday that AirTran Airways plans to offer nonstop flights from Dayton to Las Vegas, beginning this spring.  "It's a direct flight, something needed in Dayton," Ahmad said. "I hope it starts next month."

 

The flights will be offered three days a week, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/18/ddn041907vegas.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

 

 

Dayton airport to receive $2.5 million grant

By Laura A. Bischoff

Staff Writer

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

 

COLUMBUS — Dayton International Airport is in line to receive a $2.5 million state grant to improve a long-vacant concourse, state officials said Wednesday.  Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher will announce the grant at a 4:30 p.m. press conference Thursday at the airport, his spokeswoman Nikki Jaworski said.  The money is included in Gov. Ted Strickland's proposed two-year state budget under the state Department of Transportation.

 

Jaworski said the airport hopes to use the money to improve Concourse D and then attract a new commercial carrier. Concourse D has been closed for about a decade. <<Damn, I thought CLE was messed up!

 

Dayton Aviation Director Iftikhar Ahmad has said he wants to add restaurants, specialty shops, live music and art exhibits inside and around the terminal as a way to attract airlines and increase flights.  Business development has become a greater priority with the loss of a major airport tenant — the United Parcel Service Inc. air freight hub.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/04/11/ddn041207airport.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=16

 

Concourse D has been closed for about a decade. <<Damn, I thought CLE was messed up!

 

I would assume that is left from the days when Piedmont Airlines/USAir had a hub in Dayton.

Hmmmm, with all of this expanding at DAY, I wonder if they are going to proceed with plans to build the new control tower and keep operations there?

Nonstop to Denver begins from Dayton

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

 

DAYTON — United Airlines begins offering nonstop service from Dayton International Airport to Denver today.  The flight will depart Dayton at 3:31 p.m. and arrive in Denver at 4:31 p.m. Passengers returning to Dayton can depart Denver at 10:17 a.m. and arrive here at 2:57 p.m.  The service uses 66-passenger United Express regional jets.

 

Last week, AirTran Airways announced that it will begin offering Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nonstop flights to Las Vegas from Dayton.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/04/24/ddn042407flights.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=2

Putting Dayton airport into ascent

Business First of Columbus - May 4, 2007

By Joe Cogliano II, For Business First

 

Iftikhar Ahmad is looking international.  As the new director of the city-owned Dayton International Airport, Ahmad is taking steps to bring back international flights, which ceased about seven years ago when USAir stopped service to Canada.  A recent $2.5 million state grant for upgrading an abandoned concourse makes his goal more attainable.  The next step will be convincing international carriers, along with customs and immigration services, to staff the renovated space.

 

Attracting routes to places like Canada and the Caribbean is one part of Ahmad's plan to draw more than 2.8 million travelers annually - more than double the current level - within a decade and turn the airport into a stronger regional player.  The return of international flights could make Dayton more competitive with airports in Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

 

Though the push to re-establish international flights is in the preliminary stages, other efforts to bolster domestic flights are paying off.  Airport officials recently enticed Air Tran Airways to make direct flights to Las Vegas, starting in August, and incentive packages are in the works to draw other service from new and existing carriers.

 

Joe Cogliano II is a contributing writer to the Dayton Business Journal, an affiliated newspaper.

 

Full article at http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2007/05/07/story20.html 

From the 4/30/07 Dayton Business Journal:

 

Director seeks airport resurgence

Planning for return of international flights

Dayton Business Journal - April 27, 2007

by Joe Cogliano II, DBJ Contributor

 

Iftikhar Ahmad is looking international.  As the new director of the city-owned Dayton International Airport, Ahmad is taking steps to bring back international flights, which ceased about seven years ago when U.S. Air stopped offering service to Canada.  Attracting flights to places like Canada and the Caribbean is just one part of Ahmad's plan to draw more than 2.8 million travelers annually -- more than double current numbers -- within a decade and turn the Dayton Airport into a stronger regional player. 

 

On another front, Ahmad wants to lower costs to the airlines in order to retain existing service and lure more low-cost carriers.  Now, it costs airlines about $14 per passenger for things like ticket counter space, offices, gate fees and landing fees.  By eliminating overtime and new hires and trimming the payroll through attrition, Ahmad expects the airlines to start seeing lower charges by summer.  "When we cut their costs, it will stimulate the market," he said. "It's a low-fare market out there."

 

More than 1.3 million passengers boarded flights at Dayton International Airport last year, a 7 percent increase over 2005 numbers.  This year also started off with a bang as January boardings were up more than 10 percent over same month last year.  The numbers are welcome news after passenger counts dipped more than 15 percent in 2005.

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/04/30/story1.html

 

From the 5/8/07 DDN:

 

Dayton International Airport fights to compete

By John Nolan, Staff Writer

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

 

DAYTON — On the job six months, the city's director of aviation is reducing Dayton International Airport's work force and hopes to sharply cut operating costs for airlines which do business there.  Iftikhar Ahmad says those things — and more — must happen if Dayton is to compete with the surrounding airports, retain the flight service it has and try to attract new service.     

 

Ahmad's top priorities include reducing the operating costs for Dayton's airlines, to match lower costs at the Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati airports, and cutting the airport's own operating costs.  The closeness of those airports makes it easy for the region's residents to choose to fly from there if fares are more affordable, Ahmad said.   

 

His goals include reducing the Dayton airport's $35 million budget by at least $7 million this year— to offset revenues lost when United Parcel Service closed its freight hub — and increasing revenues from non-airline sources including concessions and parking.  Ahmad said he has reduced the airport's work force from 201 employees last year to 174 at present, with a target of 155 by year's end.  The airport increased parking rates in March, more than doubling the short-term rates.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/05/08/ddn050807airport.html

 

From the 5/15/07 DDN:

 

Passengers boarding at Dayton Airport up

By Staff reports

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

 

DAYTON — The number of passengers boarding planes at Dayton International Airport is up by 7 percent for the year so far, according to the airport's latest report Monday.  This year's total through March — the latest month available — is 321,003 passengers, compared with 300,190 a year ago.

 

Delta Air Lines and its affiliated regional carriers, including Comair, led the way with 73,516 passenger boardings through March, a 10 percent increase from 66,976 a year ago.

 

AirTran Airways had 62,150 boardings, up by 6 percent from 58,765. US Airways and its affiliated regional carriers were No. 3 at Dayton with 52,626 boardings, up by 7 percent from last year's 49,232.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/05/14/ddn051507daytonairport.html

 

From the 5/30/07 DDN:

 

Dayton airport's passenger traffic increases

Dayton Daily News

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

 

DAYTON — Passenger traffic at Dayton International Airport was up by 8 percent in April and 7 percent for the year over this time last year, the airport administration said on Tuesday.  A total of 119,062 passengers boarded commercial flights at the airport in April, compared with 110,324 in April 2006.  The year-to-date total is 440,065, up from last year's 410,514.

 

Delta Air Lines, AirTrain Airways and US Airways Express ranked as the top three in passenger loads carried.  Air cargo handled at the airport was dwarfed by last year's totals, due to United Parcel Service's decision to close the former Menlo Worldwide Forwarding/Emery Air Freight cargo hub at the airport.  A total of 879 tons was handled at the airport in April, a 97 percent decline from 27,752 tons in April 2006.  The air cargo tonnage for 2007 so far is 3,654 tons, down by 97 percent from last year.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/05/30/ddn053007airport.html

 

From the 6/21/07 DDN:

 

Commission approves airline incentives

By Joanne Huist Smith

Staff Writer

Thursday, June 21, 2007

 

DAYTON — The City Commission approved an incentive program Wednesday to entice airlines to bring in new or expanded nonstop service to Dayton International Airport.  Iftikhar Ahmad, Dayton's director of aviation, said the incentives come in the form of up to two years in abatements for landing fees or reduced leases for terminal space.

 

Dayton lies in the middle of an extremely competitive market with Port Columbus Airport 76 miles east of the city; the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport, which is a Delta Airlines hub, 77 miles to the south; and, the Indianapolis airport 117 miles to the west.

 

A May 2006 study by the city showed a heavy exchange of passengers in this region moving from one airport to the other following the lowest fares.  "Dayton is taking the necessary steps to position itself as the choice for airlines and passengers in the region," Ahmad said.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2007/06/21/ddn062107citcom.html

 

Southwest, art and music in Dayton airport's future?

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Monday, June 25, 2007

 

DAYTON — Coming to the Dayton International Airport's terminal by the end of this year: art and photographic displays and live music from solo singers or choruses, the city's aviation director said Monday.  Iftikhar Ahmad said it is part of his plan to make the airport a more appealing entry point for visitors to the Dayton region.  Other airports have begun bringing in art displays and live music, so Dayton needs to get in on it, he said during an interview with the Dayton Daily News' editorial board.

 

Ahmad also said he has met twice this year with Southwest Airlines to discuss the possibility of service to Dayton.  He believes there is a chance that the Dallas-based airline would consider serving Dayton at some point.  "Is there a chance? Yes. Have they promised anything? No," Ahmad said.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/06/25/ddn062507airportweb.html

 

From the 7/2/07 DDN:

 

May a record month for passengers at Dayton airport

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Monday, July 02, 2007

 

DAYTON — More people came to Dayton International Airport to board airplanes in May — 125,973 — than in any other May since the airport began keeping records in 1949.  That category of enplanements excludes the numbers of pass-through passengers from the era when Dayton was a hub for Piedmont Airlines. Piedmont merged with US Air (now US Airways), and the hub was closed a decade ago.

 

The number of people boarding planes at Dayton International Airport represented a 10.6 percent increase from the total of 113,875 in May 2006.  The traffic is up 8.1 percent for the year through May, to 566,692 from 524,389 last year, the airport's administration reported on Monday.  AirTran Airways was the airport's busiest carrier in May 2007 with 26,164 passenger boardings.  Delta Air Lines was next with 24,875, followed by US Airways with 20,515.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/07/02/ddn070207airportweb.html

 

From the 7/7/07 DDN:

 

Plans to renovate concourse at Dayton International on hold

By John Nolan

Staff Writer

Saturday, July 07, 2007

 

DAYTON — Dayton International Airport's plan to renovate and reopen a concourse that has been closed for more than a decade is on hold because state money initially promised to start the project wasn't budgeted.

 

That derailed the plan of Dayton's aviation director, Iftikhar Ahmad, to develop gates in Concourse D and try to win a federal commitment to assign staff there for an inspection station that could provide customs service for international passengers.  He estimates it would cost $5 million to fully renovate and reopen the concourse, but said that $2.5 million would be sufficient to prepare enough space to make it easier to seek new flight service for the airport.

 

In April, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher announced the state's intention to provide a $2.5 million grant to help Dayton International renovate and reopen its third concourse, shut down since a former Piedmont Airlines/US Air flight hub closed in 1992.  State lawmakers ultimately did not include that money in Ohio's new two-year budget because the Dayton Development Coalition and local public officials did not include the airport project among a list of regional priorities for state funding, House Speaker Jon Husted, R-Kettering, said.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/07/07/ddn070707airport.html

 

Dayton airport adds more flights

Dayton Business Journal - 2:52 PM EDT Wednesday, July 25, 2007

 

The Dayton International Airport announced Wednesday three new additions to its departing flights schedule.  They include:

 

    * Frontier Airlines added a third departure to Denver leaving at 7:55 p.m. daily;

    * American Airlines will add a third departure to St. Louis at 12:05 p.m. daily starting Sept. 5; and

    * AirTran Airways will add non-stop return daily to Tampa beginning Nov. 15, which departs at 5:38 p.m.

 

The airport recently reported its highest May ever for the number of passengers it flew.  The month, which saw 125,973 people fly, edged up over the airport's record May in 2004 of 124,962 passengers.  This May beat out last May, with 113,875 passengers, by 10.6 percent.

 

Full article at http://dayton.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/07/23/daily19.html

Yay, more TAMPA!!!

Dayton is nice for the fact that it's soo easy to get through security and find your gate.  I guess that comes with being a smaller airport though.

Hence their slogan, "Easy to and through."

^Sounds dirty

Traffic at Dayton airport takes big jump

By Lisa A. Bernard

Staff Writer

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

 

DAYTON — Passenger traffic at the Dayton International Airport is up nine percent compared to this time last year, according to airport officials.  In June the airport saw a 13.4 percent increase in passengers, and AirTran Airways topped out as the month's busiest carrier with 28, 925 flight boardings, according to the airport.  Delta Airlines and US Airways followed AirTran, with 24, 808 and 21, 455 passengers, respectively.

 

Full article at http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/business/2007/08/07/ddn080707airportweb.html