Wow, that's a genuinely nice response. From a web form, no less.. That's usually a black hole for customer complaints.

[shadow=red,left]BREAKING[/shadow]

 

 

Hopkins runway extension altered

Posted by Susan Vinella May 04, 2007 19:30PM

Categories: Breaking News

 

Cleveland has indefinitely delayed the extension of an airport runway once billed as critical for the region to compete in the global marketplace with nonstop international flights.

 

Ricky Smith, director of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, attributed the delay to high costs and a lack of nonstop flights to distant locations such as China.

 

"We don't need a runway at 11,250 feet unless we're going to have service to the Pacific Rim, Asia," Smith said Friday. "At this point, we don't have any service to the Pacific Rim."

 

The airport initially planned to extend one of two 9,000 foot runways to 11,250 feet -- the length needed for 747 and 757 jets to take off for nonstop flights to Asia while filled with passengers, cargo and fuel.

 

Instead, construction will begin soon to lengthen the runway to 10,000 feet and eliminate an intersection with a smaller runway to improve safety. The $41 million project will not accommodate additional international flights, Smith said.

 

Continental Airlines offers seasonal nonstop flights from Hopkins to London's Gatwick Airport. Next summer, the airline plans to add nonstop flights to Paris.

 

Smith has said that he wants to decrease fees charged to airlines to make the airport more attractive and competitive. Airlines would most likely have to pay for the runway extension through an increase in landing fees.

 

The city estimated the project at $54 million. Last summer, the city rejected two bids of $78 million or more. At the time, Smith said he would review the project to see if a shorter extension could accommodate the larger planes.

 

Good decision by Mr. Smith, but he seems to enjoy not consulting or even informing council.  I hope this does not turn into a petty fight

Good decision by Mr. Smith, but he seems to enjoy not consulting or even informing council.  I hope this does not turn into a petty fight

 

Sounds like council wants to get into a pissing match with a proven leader.  We have a guy who is getting things done.  Like Punch, I hope this doesn't become a problem.  I wonder if this is why Mok left or was asked to leave??  Maybe he couldn't get things done and Smith isn't a push over "yes" man.

 

I still think both runways should be 11k but I'mnot an expert.  LGA and DCA, both which have shorter runways, can handle 767 landings/take offs we should be ok.

Sounds like a good plan to me to save money.  I wouldn't want to be on a direct flight to Asia from Cleveland.  Give me a stop in Seattle or Hawaii.  Cleveland barely gets international flights now from Europe why try to pick up Asian ones with a longer runway.  Better to improve runway safety for the majority of users than eliminating some inconvenience for .01% of fliers.

Go Smith Go!

Sounds like a good plan to me to save money.  I wouldn't want to be on a direct flight to Asia from Cleveland.  Give me a stop in Seattle or Hawaii.  Cleveland barely gets international flights now from Europe why try to pick up Asian ones with a longer runway.  Better to improve runway safety for the majority of users than eliminating some inconvenience for .01% of fliers.

Go Smith Go!

 

But business travelers would.  Currently, the majority of travelers that use Hopkins are business travelers not leisure travelers.  Having a hub with direct flights is a plus for the business community.  Making connections is not a preferred method.  I hate connections! I would prefer to fly CLE - XXX, instead of CLE-EWR-XXX or CLE-ORD-XXX.

 

Starting this fall there will a ramp up of more domestic flights via Cleveland to support the new/expanded international services.

Cleveland is not going to get Asia routes until it establishes European routes that can be profitable and year-round. Clearly London/seasonal was profitiable enough during the summer for CAL to add Paris/seasonal. But until I hear something offical that London is going year-round followed Paris coming to full term along with an addition of a Frankfurt or Amsterdam....I don't see Tokyo/Narita coming to CLE. So the cutback on the runway addition makes sense. Plus, 10000ft. will accomodate a 767 just fine to Europe and should be more than enough length for the 787 that CAL will acquire in the next few years. I just hope the extra cash saved from the runway and the vendor shakeup is used towards building a quality FIS facility at CLE.

 

It's also good to know that Smith and Co. have their priorities straight. CAL for the most part makes the airport run, not City Council. In fact, 'Mr. #1 councilman-for-life' George Forbes came damn close to killing the airport back in the 80's.

 

On a side note, three of you folks said that London was year round. I haven't seen anything that says it's not seasonal. Outside of MTS sources, is there more something concrete I missed?

 

 

 

 

 

Cleveland is not going to get Asia routes until it establishes European routes that can be profitable and year-round. Clearly London/seasonal was profitiable enough during the summer for CAL to add Paris/seasonal. But until I hear something offical that London is going year-round followed Paris coming to full term along with an addition of a Frankfurt or Amsterdam....I don't see Tokyo/Narita coming to CLE. So the cutback on the runway addition makes sense. Plus, 10000ft. will accomodate a 767 just fine to Europe and should be more than enough length for the 787 that CAL will acquire in the next few years. I just hope the extra cash saved from the runway and the vendor shakeup is used towards building a quality FIS facility at CLE.

 

It's also good to know that Smith and Co. have their priorities straight. CAL for the most part makes the airport run, not City Council. In fact, 'Mr. #1 councilman-for-life' George Forbes came damn close to killing the airport back in the 80's.

 

On a side note, three of you folks said that London was year round. I haven't seen anything that says it's not seasonal. Outside of MTS sources, is there more something concrete I missed?

 

I agree 100% about Smith!  How did Forbes come close to killing the airport??

 

I would love to see year round European flights as well as flights to the Caribbean and central & south America.  Even if these flights were 2/3 times a week, that would greatly enhance Clevelands position in the Global Marketplace and improve the cities status as a leisure destination.  Besides departing Newark or O'Hare is painful. :whip: :whip:

 

My wish list, just the major players and a few leisure locations:

Please STAY OUT of heathrow, thats got to be one of the worst airports in the world.  I hate that place.

 

North America

Calgary

Vancouver

Ottawa

 

Europe

Amsterdam*

Dublin

Berlin

Madrid

Rome

 

Pacific

Honolulu

 

Carribean, Central America, South America

San Juan

Panama City*

USVI

Montego Bay

Santo Domingo

Bermuda

Los Cabos

Puerto Vallarta

Cozumel

Aruba

St. Maarten

Rio

 

Hong Kong

Tel Aviv

 

* Continental Partner Cities

 

 

^he's probably referring to the 80s battle Council had with United Airlines, I believe, over runway/gate fees -- United finally responded by pulling out of Cleveland.  I also believe Cleveland may have been a sub-hub of O'Hare (United's hometown airport), but I'm not certain.  Many blame Forbes for leading the fight that resulted in United's loss and subsequent decline in the airport.  Whether that's entirely accurate, I tend to doubt (we often too easily search for villains, here) but there's a perception of this.

^he's probably referring to the 80s battle Council had with United Airlines, I believe, over runway/gate fees -- United finally responded by pulling out of Cleveland.  I also believe Cleveland may have been a sub-hub of O'Hare (United's hometown airport), but I'm not certain.  Many blame Forbes for leading the fight that resulted in United's loss and subsequent decline in the airport.  Whether that's entirely accurate, I tend to doubt (we often too easily search for villains, here) but there's a perception of this.

If im not mistaken, Forbes was only fighting for what Cleveland was owed, in return the monies would have been used for the upgrades united and other carriers wanted.

 

Deregulation, is the cause of the United dehubbing of Hopkins.  At that time Airlines could fly where they wanted.

Can we please get a non-stop flight to Honolulu? I'm sick of stopping in Salt Lake City all the time.

^you might be right, MTS... like I said, many want to look simplistically for villains (ie: Mike White killed Progressive downtown) when, really, there are more sides to issue.  Seems like someone I spoke w/ years ago also said it was more like United stiffed Hopkins/Cleveland, financially, more so than the popular folklore that Forbes chased out United and damn near killed Hopkins leading to its much weaker state than the 70s & 80s.

It would be amazing to have at least a few n/s transatlantic flights from CLE.  Connecting through the big airports in Chicago or NYC isn't fun at all.  Anyone ever fly through Dulles when every int'l flight arrives in the afternoon?  Pretty pathetic for the world's most powerful country's capital airport.  While we should be able to support a LGW/CDG/AMS, getting a couple different destinations to compliment/compete with our neighbors in DTW/CVG/ORD would be nice.  Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Berlin.  None of these cities are served by any airport in the region (I thought that ORD would have an TLV but nothing I could find online.  BTW I didn't include YYZ-Toronto).  Definetly a lot of Jewish roots in Cleveland, Chicago, and probably our neighbors.  Doesn't the UAE love the Clinic?  They seem to have a lot of money and a bunch of new planes.  Maybe they could do a DXB-CLE-West coast?  Frankfurt is Germany's main airport but it's dominated by Lufthansa/United. 

 

These are just a few things I'd like to see but first, let's focus on LGW and CDG year round.  CLE can have another saying:  "CLEasy!  It's so true!  CLEan, CLEasy, CLEVELAND!

 

 

By "they" I was referring to Emirates.  I don't think they're in Skyteam but Continental does or used to have some sort of partnership with them. 

i dk what the big deal is with heathrow mts. i thought it was just fine. train options make it easy to get to/from. great international shopping area to occupy you while you wait around. i dk what the other london airports like gatwick are like, but heathrow was good. better than newark thats for sure.

Gatwick? I'll let you know!

i dk what the big deal is with heathrow mts. i thought it was just fine. train options make it easy to get to/from. great international shopping area to occupy you while you wait around. i dk what the other london airports like gatwick are like, but heathrow was good. better than newark thats for sure.

 

Heathrow and Charles deGalpe are the worst airports to navigate.  Heathrow, O'Hare, Newark, Atlanta, IAD & LAX are horrible airports if you have to transfer between terminals or airlines. I love to Amsterdam's airport.

 

It would be amazing to have at least a few n/s transatlantic flights from CLE.  Connecting through the big airports in Chicago or NYC isn't fun at all.  Anyone ever fly through Dulles when every int'l flight arrives in the afternoon?  Pretty pathetic for the world's most powerful country's capital airport.  While we should be able to support a LGW/CDG/AMS, getting a couple different destinations to compliment/compete with our neighbors in DTW/CVG/ORD would be nice.  Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Berlin.  None of these cities are served by any airport in the region (I thought that ORD would have an TLV but nothing I could find online.  BTW I didn't include YYZ-Toronto).  Definetly a lot of Jewish roots in Cleveland, Chicago, and probably our neighbors.  Doesn't the UAE love the Clinic?  They seem to have a lot of money and a bunch of new planes.  Maybe they could do a DXB-CLE-West coast?  Frankfurt is Germany's main airport but it's dominated by Lufthansa/United. 

 

These are just a few things I'd like to see but first, let's focus on LGW and CDG year round.  CLE can have another saying:  "CLEasy!  It's so true!  CLEan, CLEasy, CLEVELAND!

 

 

I honestly don't think CVG will be a problem any more, I have a feeling Delta is ramping up JFK to compete with continental and CVG will be significantly downgraded.  As more flights are moved from EWR to CLE and new routes are added to CLE, DTW will suffer as people will support O&D flights.

 

I would speculate that people from the MidEast that visit the Cleveland clinic usually do so on their OWN private jets.  havent you seen those big ass 747 jets parked near the IX center?  They big jets like that for their harems.  I think El Al stopped their seasonal flight to Tel Aviv from O'Hare.  I think the fact that there is no competition is why Continental is looking at Cleveland for their third tel Aviv flight.  but again, all this depends on equipment, since continental has such a small fleet.

i don't think CLE is going to see much from continental in the near term until CO gets the 737-900 and 787 deliveries- CO just doesn't have planes to spare, especially when they are running high load factors.  CLE could potentially support shifting one or 2 of the other 752 flights from EWR to europe, as long as there was significant connecting traffic that could be routed through CLE, but seeing as they have taken a very slow rollout of the CDG flight, i doubt we will see any direct flights to europe until that launches and customs improvements are completed.

 

my take on the situation is CLE's best bet is to get its house in order, make improvements where necessary, and remain competitive for CO and other carriers.  as CO brings more planes into their fleet, CLE should be a beneficiary of improved air service.   I do thing that CO should be shifting much more traffic to CLE to avoid the headaches in the NYC airspace.  hopefully the city and airport chief are working to make this happen (eg, the new state of the art baggage handling system installed this spring for COs operations in CLE).

 

in the meantime, bringing back more direct and year round flights to the west coast is good for originating traffic and also helps to build the future feeder routes when people in LAX, SFO, PDG, etc. may fly xxx-CLE-CDG, xxx-CLE-AMS instead of trying to connect in EWR.

 

i'd be curious to see the arrivals / departures for the past few years.  my feeling is that CO has been adding frequency (both daily and on prior non-service days) to existing markets.  the one thing i don't like is their situation with expressJet. i much prefer the single operator of the connections on erj 135/145 aircraft.  now, there are CRJs, Dash8, ERJ and Saab planes in the mix for some of the short hops with 3 different regional providers all dba "continental".

MTS,  you're right about CVG.  I don't think it'll go through the chop shop like PIT (I remember flying to  Paris for the 1st time through PIT) but the word is out on the downsizing.  DTW is so nice and new that I'd find it hard to believe it would suffer.  It's Northwest's #1 hub dom and intl.  Yeah, I know they UAE royalties fly privately to CLE--wishful thinking on getting an 'exotic' carrier here.

 

At work, RFPA has come up with plans for CLE in the past but nothing has ever materialized.  There have been some cool interior renderings.  I know my boss has met with Mok and Smith on many occasions.  I hope we really get to do something there!  I'll be back in a month so I guess I'll find out then...

i don't think CLE is going to see much from continental in the near term until CO gets the 737-900 and 787 deliveries- CO just doesn't have planes to spare, especially when they are running high load factors.  CLE could potentially support shifting one or 2 of the other 752 flights from EWR to europe, as long as there was significant connecting traffic that could be routed through CLE, but seeing as they have taken a very slow rollout of the CDG flight, i doubt we will see any direct flights to europe until that launches and customs improvements are completed.

 

my take on the situation is CLE's best bet is to get its house in order, make improvements where necessary, and remain competitive for CO and other carriers.  as CO brings more planes into their fleet, CLE should be a beneficiary of improved air service.   I do thing that CO should be shifting much more traffic to CLE to avoid the headaches in the NYC airspace.  hopefully the city and airport chief are working to make this happen (eg, the new state of the art baggage handling system installed this spring for COs operations in CLE).

 

in the meantime, bringing back more direct and year round flights to the west coast is good for originating traffic and also helps to build the future feeder routes when people in LAX, SFO, PDG, etc. may fly xxx-CLE-CDG, xxx-CLE-AMS instead of trying to connect in EWR.

 

i'd be curious to see the arrivals / departures for the past few years.  my feeling is that CO has been adding frequency (both daily and on prior non-service days) to existing markets.  the one thing i don't like is their situation with expressJet. i much prefer the single operator of the connections on erj 135/145 aircraft.  now, there are CRJs, Dash8, ERJ and Saab planes in the mix for some of the short hops with 3 different regional providers all dba "continental".

 

I agree, but the international roll out is because of our customs and immigration situation, its not large enough or up to date and cannot handle the potential uptick in passengers.

 

Continental and Cleveland said that from jump.  That is the reason it was announced in '07 for Spring of '08.

 

I'd rather have it done right from jump, than half-assed.

I thought ATL was one of the easist big airports I have ever been in...not sure what the trouble is there. 

I thought ATL was one of the easist big airports I have ever been in...not sure what the trouble is there. 

 

Getting to security.  If you're a FC or Business Class passenger its ok, but the drive from the parking to the terminal then the terminal to the concourses can be murder.  Maybe its just that I hate ATL

I guess I have only transfered flights there...so some of the issues are foreign to me.   I am not a business person..and as far as first class...lol...I am the farthest thing from THAT!

Well today Ford said theywill be closing its 1200 job facility in 2009 and idling another until 2008. My question is how feasible is it that at some point in the future The Port authority could acquire the Ford plant and build a new runway? It would have to be built over OH-237 like ATL's fourth runway over I-285 Here's an image:

 

I guess I have only transfered flights there...so some of the issues are foreign to me.   I am not a business person..and as far as first class...lol...I am the farthest thing from THAT!

 

but you are a Nut!  LOL  LOL  :-D :laugh:

Well today Ford said theywill be closing its 1200 job facility in 2009 and idling another until 2008. My question is how feasible is it that at some point in the future The Port authority could acquire the Ford plant and build a new runway? It would have to be built over OH-237 like ATL's fourth runway over I-285 Here's an image:

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I was just thinking about this, I don't think that would give the airport enough room for a runway, maybe if two parallel terminal buildings were relocated and built on the Ford Property and a parallel runway built at the location of the current terminal something could work.

 

The Fifth ATL runway was specifically built for Regional jet landings, IIRC.  similar to the Northern runway in Cleveland.

With access to multiple rail lines, wouldn't the Ford site have more potential for some sort of intermodal/industrial use? 

 

If a convention center is built downtown, the IX center would become obsolete (right?) and the expansion plan from a few years ago (posted below) would have some potential again.  Found the graph in a post by KJP in one of the other Hopkins threads.

 

Yep, which was for the eventual construction of a third runway, which would also require the demolition of the new Concourse D. But then, Hopkins officials also said their long-range plan is to build a new centralized, midfield terminal roughly where the I-X Center now stands (in between 6R-24L and the new third runway that would likely be named as the new 6R-24L)....

 

actually, now that you post that.  the Ford location would be prime for an "international terminal"

^If we would grow significantly in intl flights.  But for ~10 one-time-a-day flights, I don't think a wholly separate international terminal would be necessary.

It appears that is what smith would like to do.  Look what he did in Baltimore.

 

A nice international lounge before departing would be great!

^he's probably referring to the 80s battle Council had with United Airlines, I believe, over runway/gate fees -- United finally responded by pulling out of Cleveland.  I also believe Cleveland may have been a sub-hub of O'Hare (United's hometown airport), but I'm not certain.  Many blame Forbes for leading the fight that resulted in United's loss and subsequent decline in the airport.  Whether that's entirely accurate, I tend to doubt (we often too easily search for villains, here) but there's a perception of this.

 

I hate defending United on this, but the whole picture isn't being shown here.

 

United was looking to create an eastern hub back in the 80's. Their choice was either CLE or IAD, as both were operating under "major station" status, which is one level below a hub. Cleveland's landing fees were one of the highest in the nation at the time (and still are). United asked Cleveland to lower its fees and in return United was going to invest millions of dollars of upgrades in CLE in order to make it a international hub airport along the lines of CVG. Cleveland council wanted the $$$ generated by the landing fees, and thought it could hold United's feet to the fire and still get the upgrades. Meanwhile down in DC, the Metropolitian Washington Airport Authority was giving away the farm because at the time IAD was a small airport - traffic wise - due to it's location. United warned the city about the situation at IAD, but the city wouldn't budge, hence Mr. Forbes' statement "If United dosen't need Cleveland then Cleveland dosen't need United." Well clearly that wasn't the case. United started bailing out of Cleveland, taking the aircraft, landing fees and jobs with them. The city now realizing that there was going to be very little service at the airport, soon went to Continental. At the time Contiental had been operating a major station out of IAD and it wasn't working too well and it was going to get worse with United directly competing on their routes. The city started wooing CAL because NO OTHER AIRLINE WAS INTERESTED IN CLEVELAND. Just to be fair, at the time nobody was really interested in Continental because they were bleeding cash and nobody wanted an airline which looked like it was going to cease to operate within five years. Continental didn't mind the high landing fees at the time becuase it wasn't going to operate that many flights out of Cleveland. Hence, no millions of dollars of investment at CLE, no expansion, just the status quo. Well, for once in the city's life, Cleveland got lucky, CAL pulled it's butt out of the fire and managed to grow Cleveland for a while. Of course if Cleveland could have hammered something out with United, the airport would probably be more along the lines of a CVG or possibly DTW. So in the end the city lost, all so it could charge Lexus prices for a Corolla.

 

I only brought Mr. Forbes up, because he decided to be head spokesman about the fiasco and in the end cost the city millions in the process. I'm not picking on Mr. Forbes any more than I would Mr. Kucinich, they did some good things for the city...but in the end there was more damage than good done all in the name of forwarding their political carrers.

 

As for MTS comments about deregulation, UAL hadn't shrunk CLE. It had maintained it until if figured out where it was going to put its hub. So deregulation was a non-factor in UAL ops at CLE before they pulled out. Deregulation forced UAL to make a choice, but it was ultimately the city that decided to break ties with UAL when it wouldn't budge.

It would be amazing to have at least a few n/s transatlantic flights from CLE.  Connecting through the big airports in Chicago or NYC isn't fun at all.  Anyone ever fly through Dulles when every int'l flight arrives in the afternoon?  Pretty pathetic for the world's most powerful country's capital airport.  While we should be able to support a LGW/CDG/AMS, getting a couple different destinations to compliment/compete with our neighbors in DTW/CVG/ORD would be nice.  Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Berlin.  None of these cities are served by any airport in the region (I thought that ORD would have an TLV but nothing I could find online.  BTW I didn't include YYZ-Toronto).  Definetly a lot of Jewish roots in Cleveland, Chicago, and probably our neighbors.  Doesn't the UAE love the Clinic?  They seem to have a lot of money and a bunch of new planes.  Maybe they could do a DXB-CLE-West coast?  Frankfurt is Germany's main airport but it's dominated by Lufthansa/United. 

 

These are just a few things I'd like to see but first, let's focus on LGW and CDG year round.  CLE can have another saying:  "CLEasy!  It's so true!  CLEan, CLEasy, CLEVELAND!

 

 

 

Until Cleveland gets the 10000ft. runway...and CAL adds some aircraft to their fleet, it's gonna be hard to convince people to fly a 757 to Europe when most other options are at least a 767. Even if another airline were to operate a 767 or A330 from Cleveland...it would be weight limited on hot or snowy days due to preformance (until the 10000ft addition is built). A 757 isn't gonna make it to Tel Aviv nonstop from Cleveland. Now a 787 is a different story.

Wow...AmrapinVA thanks for setting the record straight!  I thought United wasn't paying or passed due, which is why the city was holding court.

 

In addition, Cleveland got lucky that CAL closed stapelton & Cal Lite.

Wow...AmrapinVA thanks for setting the record straight!  I thought United wasn't paying or passed due, which is why the city was holding court.

 

In addition, Cleveland got lucky that CAL closed stapelton & Cal Lite.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if United threatened to play that game with the city during negotiations. But if they didn't pay...Cleveland could have kicked them out. That never happened. That being said, United isn't on my 'fave 5', if you know what I'm saying.

 

Cleveland got really lucky in getting CAL. Looking at what's going on in Cincy and Pittsburgh now, the city got a pair of pocket aces.

BTW, I think Brook Park would balk at the city buying the Ford property up. Their pols are always complaining about this and that when it comes to Hopkins. Plus they probably would rather have an intermodal yard for long-term revenue growth.

Wow...AmrapinVA thanks for setting the record straight!  I thought United wasn't paying or passed due, which is why the city was holding court.

 

In addition, Cleveland got lucky that CAL closed stapelton & Cal Lite.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if United threatened to play that game with the city during negotiations. But if they didn't pay...Cleveland could have kicked them out. That never happened. That being said, United isn't on my 'fave 5', if you know what I'm saying.

 

Cleveland got really lucky in getting CAL. Looking at what's going on in Cincy and Pittsburgh now, the city got a pair of pocket aces.

 

Well remember when USAir was building up here?  USAir had a significant amount of flights from Cleveland for while.  When the new airport in Pitts came online, they cut back in Cleveland.

 

I would love for Alaska Air to build a mini hub in Cleveland to compliment the Continental service.

 

Then see SW ad flights and Jetblue start flights to both coast.

 

Nothing wrong with a lil competition

finally some innovation at the airport.  don't know if this is related to the same group that bid on the overall advertising package, but lost.  still it seems like good news.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1178700015128410.xml&coll=2

 

High-tech Hopkins: a nice ring to it

Travelers, businesses can tap wireless service

 

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Susan Vinella

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Travelers at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport soon will be able to use new wireless technology to instantly transfer information about local hotels, restaurants and attractions onto their cell phones.

 

The technology, available to anyone who has Internet service on their mobile phone, also will allow companies to deliver video advertisements to passengers' phones.

 

The high-tech marketing approach, which will include ads displayed on 70-inch flat-screen televisions and touch-screen information kiosks, is among the first of its kind in U.S. airports, according to Interspace Airport Advertising, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor.

 

The company will cover the $750,000 cost of the equipment and will share ad revenues with the airport. Spokesman Scott Appnel said Cleveland will be used as a marketing model for other large airports.

[email protected], 216-999-5010

 

 

Customs To Expand

 

It looks like the $$ saved on the runway are being put into the customs facility.  here is the quote from another forum:

 

"I got a chance to see the blueprints for the new CLE customs facility. It will be a three level building located between C-4 and the main terminal. Gates C-4,C-3, and C-6 will be connected to it. The nice thing about it will be local passengers can collect their baggage and walk directly to the parking garage or taxi stand. I think this may be why the city didn't extend the runway to 11,000 ft, The are going to replace customs and the concessions area with that money. And CO agreed."

http://www.opshots.net/forum/index.php/topic,1124.0.html

 

EDIT:  C and D Concourse Diagram Added, with proposed customs area in RED.

 

Customs To Expand

 

It looks like the $$ saved on the runway are being put into the customs facility.  here is the quote from another forum:

 

"I got a chance to see the blueprints for the new CLE customs facility. It will be a three level building located between C-4 and the main terminal. Gates C-4,C-3, and C-6 will be connected to it. The nice thing about it will be local passengers can collect their baggage and walk directly to the parking garage or taxi stand. I think this may be why the city didn't extend the runway to 11,000 ft, The are going to replace customs and the concessions area with that money. And CO agreed."

http://www.opshots.net/forum/index.php/topic,1124.0.html

 

Thats why NW moved to the A terminal.  This is all in preparation for CO international expansion at CLE.

 

I (without any knowledge) think the customs facility has anything to do with the runway, since the announcement about the new facility came out when CO announced it will be looking to build up CLE late last year.  The way I understand it is, the runway money will be redistributed on other terminal issues.

 

I'm just glad to see they are closing that closet they currently use!

Customs To Expand

 

It looks like the $$ saved on the runway are being put into the customs facility.  here is the quote from another forum:

 

"I got a chance to see the blueprints for the new CLE customs facility. It will be a three level building located between C-4 and the main terminal. Gates C-4,C-3, and C-6 will be connected to it. The nice thing about it will be local passengers can collect their baggage and walk directly to the parking garage or taxi stand. I think this may be why the city didn't extend the runway to 11,000 ft, The are going to replace customs and the concessions area with that money. And CO agreed."

 

That's some big news, IF this is true. A real customs facility will no doubt entice CAL to bring more international service to CLE. And it may bring some overseas competition in as well. Hopefully there will be some offical news on this soon. If people are leaking it out already...I can't believe it's far away. I just hope it's not BS. The location of the facility, the recent idea to save money by lengthening the runway to only 10000ft, NW's move to the A concourse and the fact that there have been a helluva lot of changes at the airport since Smith arrived, makes me think it isn't.

There was an announcement back on september 2006, that continental wanted to grow cleveland and CDG is the first addition. 

 

It was also stated, that the service wont start until 2008, because the Customs Facility was inadequate and would be upgraded.

I like the "others wary" title - i think that 99% of people are pro-this type of development.  The PD needs to work on their titles.  Maybe "Poor customer service workers worried" would better reflect the situatuon.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1179131408228010.xml&coll=2

 

Pittsburgh's Airmall is model for Hopkins' plan

Travelers like ease of shopping; others wary

 

Monday, May 14, 2007

Susan Vinella

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

 

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport expects to soon model its terminal after Pittsburgh's Airmall, which includes 100 retailers and restaurants and boasted the highest sales per passenger of any airport in the country in 2005.

 

This week, Cleveland officials are expected to invite companies such as the Westfield Group, which manages local shopping centers including Westfield Great Northern mall in North Olmsted and Westfield SouthPark mall in Strongsville, to bid on a 10-year contract to manage the shops and restaurants at Hopkins and to develop new ones.

 

[email protected], 216-999-5010

 

 

As a FREQUENT user of the airport, i think its a combination of:

 

A) New leadership

B) Outdated terminal facilities  

C) Lackluster/lax employees - Front line employees

 

Everyone in business knows when a new leader comes in, Mok did the same thing, there will be changes.  These changes are for the better.

 

the fact that we know have names and email address of individuals with the power to change things is a big plus.

 

I only see things as getting better.  But until we have a completely new terminal, any improve adds value to the Hopkins experience.

There was an announcement back on september 2006, that continental wanted to grow cleveland and CDG is the first addition. 

 

It was also stated, that the service wont start until 2008, because the Customs Facility was inadequate and would be upgraded.

 

Missed that, my bad

That was a good article, urbanlife.

 

The mall is a good idea, just be cautious on whether this translates into more pax. At the current rate PIT is shrinking along with Skybus coming on line in CMH (with no 'AirMall' service), CMH could have more pax than PIT by 2008. The Mall is an amenity that should be played to CAL.

looks like continental CEO and other top executives are in CLE Thursday May 24. 

 

Rumor is:

- announcement of expansion of domestic flights to/from CLE.  potentially doubling existing traffic over the next year.

- that customs facility will not be done in time for CDG launch in 2008, and no other international expansion will take place until this facility is online.  apparently the city hasn't signed off on the customs facility yet.

looks like continental CEO and other top executives are in CLE Thursday May 24. 

 

Rumor is:

- announcement of expansion of domestic flights to/from CLE.  potentially doubling existing traffic over the next year.

- that customs facility will not be done in time for CDG launch in 2008, and no other international expansion will take place until this facility is online.  apparently the city hasn't signed off on the customs facility yet.

 

Rick, if you're listening...Bypass council AGAIN, to get the FIS station done!  I hate the current facility!

 

With this new facility coming online, I wonder will it be all CO and the other airlines use the A facility or will the A facility go away and the A concourse redesigned?  Also, why arent C1 & C2 Connected to this as they are wide body gates.

Not new news, but I thought you would like the official press release (you, meaning everyone).

 

Contact:

Scott Appnel

800-628-6800 x394

[email protected]

 

Clear Channel Interspace Airports

 

CLEAR CHANNEL - INTERSPACE AIRPORTS TO UPGRADE CLEVELAND-HOPKINS TO A HIGH-TECH CORPORATE SHOWCASE

CLE to Become Nation’s First Airport Using Bluetooth Technology to Enhance Passenger Services

 

[DATELINE] -- Visitors to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport (CLE) will soon experience a technologically advanced presentation of the region’s unique personality

and offerings. Clear Channel Interspace Airports, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor, announced today that it is finalizing details with CLE and the City of Cleveland to create

a corporate and community showcase of Northeast Ohio.

 

Selected as a result of an Airport request for proposal, CCO Interspace plans to aesthetically upgrade CLE’s existing terminal with a distinctive advertising program

featuring high-tech displays and scenic wall murals designed to promote Cleveland and its businesses. The program also aspires to establish CLE as the first Airport in the

country to utilize Bluetooth technology to enhance passenger services.

 

Specifically, CCO Interspace plans to install themed wall murals showcasing regional imagery, a variety of types and sized digital advertising flat screens, Bluetooth

capabilities, state-of-the-art Interspace RevMax™ technology, EdgeLite™ technology and a Passenger Assistance Service System™ touch screen system that allows visitors to

collect information, research hotels, restaurants, and attractions or even call different entities through the use of brochures, print outs, and direct dial phone lines.

“Because of the airport’s vital role in tourism and economic development, it is an ideal forum for the state-of-the-art installations that CCO Interspace plans to bring to

Cleveland,” said Scott Appnel of Interspace. “With over 11 million travelers per year passing through CLE, local and regional businesses have an exciting opportunity to

effectively market to a captive audience that will be drawn to this dynamic, interactive, high definition medium that will entertain and inform.”

 

“After reviewing our options for terminal advertising firms, CCO Interspace emerged with the best proposal for showcasing the region’s corporate, cultural, and civic

communities as well as the regions many activities and accommodations, ” said Ricky Smith, Airport Director for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. .

While the contract between CCO Interspace and the City is being finalized, representatives are now setting meetings to meet with area businesses to preview this

exciting new opportunity. For more information, please call Scott Appnel, at 1-800-628- 6800 extension 394 or on his mobile at 610-442-8706.

CCO Interspace is an award-winning company that currently handles 200 airport programs, primarily in North American, and has been dedicated to Airport Advertising

for over 30 years.

 

About Clear Channel Outdoor

Clear Channel Outdoor (NYSE:CCO) is the world’s largest outdoor advertising company with over 973,000 displays in more than 60 countries across 6 continents. In the United

States, the company operates over 167,000 advertising displays and has a presence in 49 of the top 50 Designated Market Areas. It also operates airport, rail, taxi and mall

advertising businesses worldwide. Its Spectacolor (U.S.) and DEFI (international) divisions are the global market leaders in spectacular sign displays, including in New

York’s Times Square. Clear Channel Adshel is the company's international street furniture division, which operates over 3,500 municipal advertising contracts worldwide.

More information may be found by visiting www.clearchanneloutdoor.com

About Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is Ohio’s Premier Air Service Gateway offering

320 daily flights to more than 80 nonstop destinations. Visit www.clevelandairport.com.

# # #

 

looks like continental CEO and other top executives are in CLE Thursday May 24. 

 

Rumor is:

- announcement of expansion of domestic flights to/from CLE.  potentially doubling existing traffic over the next year.

- that customs facility will not be done in time for CDG launch in 2008, and no other international expansion will take place until this facility is online.  apparently the city hasn't signed off on the customs facility yet.

 

Doubling traffic? Really? Where are they going to draw down from? IAH or EWR?...or is it a combination of both? If this rumor is true....it can potentially mean 20 mil pax at CLE, making it the fourth biggest airport in the Midwest behind ORD, MSP and DTW. Damn, we'll see what happens next week.

looks like continental CEO and other top executives are in CLE Thursday May 24. 

 

Rumor is:

- announcement of expansion of domestic flights to/from CLE.  potentially doubling existing traffic over the next year.

- that customs facility will not be done in time for CDG launch in 2008, and no other international expansion will take place until this facility is online.  apparently the city hasn't signed off on the customs facility yet.

 

Doubling traffic? Really? Where are they going to draw down from? IAH or EWR?...or is it a combination of both? If this rumor is true....it can potentially mean 20 mil pax at CLE, making it the fourth biggest airport in the Midwest behind ORD, MSP and DTW. Damn, we'll see what happens next week.

 

My intel, tells me:

 

They will always do well with O&D traffic a Newark.  There will be two, possibly three banks of flights being added. As far as connections go, customers are tired of delays when travelling thru Newark and moving some domestic connections from IAH and EWR to Cleveland.

 

This way Newark can focus on point-to-point services to secondary european cities and Cleveland gets flights to the main cities, the carribean and mexico/SA.  Keep in mind not all flights will be daily and the build up will be to bolster domestic schedules and work in international flights as needed as passenger levels rise.

 

I myself have been on flights (DCA-EWR) where a 30 min ATC delay has turned into 3 hours.  I've literally change to DCA-CLE (or sometime DCA-CLE-LGA if I have to be in NYC) and gotten home faster than I would have if I stayed on my original (DCA-EWR) flight. 

 

I think we'll see more main line aircraft (ie seats) in Cleveland.

 

IIRC, CLE airport is operating at ~70% of capacity.

 

This will also affect, MSP & DTW as alot of CO customers connect to those cities for international flights.  I'm not an expert but I think this will hurt MSP and CVG more than DTW.