Hey, I can't help it if I'm good, and I'm going to get even better  :-D

 

On February 6, 2001, Cleveland Mayor Mike White and Brook Park Mayor Tom Coyne signed an agreement clearing the City of Cleveland to eventually raze the International Exposition (IX) Center and build a third runway at Hopkins International Airport (KCLE).

 

The agreement entails a land swap in which the City of Cleveland takes over the land on which the IX Center sits, and Brook Park receives the land on which NASA's Glenn Research Center sits, in return. In addition, Cleveland gets the right to purchase 300 houses on land just south of the IX Center so that they can be razed for runway expansion. Brook Park will also get the following: continued tax monies from the IX Center and several other parcels of land purchased by the City of Cleveland; payments to cover the cost of the lawsuits filed in the airport litigation; and assistance to continue development of the Aerospace Park, located southwest of the airport.

 

For further details, follow this link:

http://www.cleveland.com/news/index.ssf?/news/pd/c07ix.html

 

Time to put more smudge marks on my wallet photo  :-D

And...what that last photo does not show is runway 6C/24C, the current 7,999 ft. runways that completes CLE's current runway setup. Again, this industry changes literally overnight. The plans made in 2000-2001 quite frankly are not always applicable now. The 11,250 extension may very well happen sooner rather than later, but take my word for it, you will not be seeing a large influx of international carriers into CLE merely due to an expanded runway right from the get-go. Getting AeroMexico to fly twice weekly to MEX in and of itself is a big step. I don't doubt that more transoceanic flights are in CLE's eventual future, especially to AMS and CDG, but like I said earlier, don't expect flights to HKG, GIG, or MXP anytime soon.

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)....

 

I remember you posting that image some time back, I meant to comment on it back then.

 

The planned midfield terminal is definitely needed. CLE's current concourses aren't bad, but they've essentially maxed it out, and in the post 9/11 world we now live in, the needs and functions of parts of the terminal complex are obsolete. Also, the FIS and naturalization area, where all international arrivals must deplane, including Continental's LGW flight, are located in the A Concourse. Continental's hub operations are in C and D.

 

I definitely am a fan of that proposed layout, however the main airside complex ("airport terminal" in the rendering) would be inadequate to handle both Continental's hub operations as well as other airline operations. Probably a set of linear concourses, similar to Atlanta, or an elongated "X" terminal, similar to Pittsburgh, both connected by people movers, would be a more ideal set-up for a new terminal at Hopkins. Sadly, for some reason, the airport planning section of the Cleveland Airport website is password protected. I would imagine though that when an update to the airport's master plan is completed, the specific will be made known to the general public.

 

I miss CAK :(

WTF???

 

Résumés in for airport director

City keeps applicants' names from view

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Susan Vinella

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

The city of Cleveland is keeping secret the résumés of candidates who have applied to be director of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

 

The co-chairman of a search committee charged with screening candidates for the position told The Plain Dealer he does not have résumés of applicants because his committee returned the records to the candidates.

 

The newspaper had requested the résumés, which are public record, for review.

 

State law prohibits governments from destroying, removing, transferring or disposing of public records without approval of the state records commission.

 

Attorney Fred Nance said he had no comment on why the documents were not kept. Nance, the new chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, was appointed by Mayor Frank Jackson to co-chair a search committee charged with recommending three finalists for the cabinet-level job.

 

Jackson said he does not interfere with the search committee's selection procedure and will not request that the résumés be made public.

 

"All I'm concerned about is that they give me three candidates," Jackson said.

 

He would not say whether he will make the names and résumés of the three finalists public once he receives them but added: "If it's a public record, you'll have it."

 

Nance should be familiar with the laws on résumés as public records. He was part of a selection team that interviewed the police chief candidates whose résumés were kept private during former Mayor Michael White's administration.

 

The Plain Dealer sued. In 1996, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the city broke the law by not making the documents public and ordered the city to reimburse the newspaper for its legal fees.

 

The Jackson administration has provided The Plain Dealer with résumés of candidates for other cabinet positions, sometimes weeks after a position was filled.

 

Nance said the firm hired to conduct a national search for the position received about 200 résumés and whittled the pile to 70. He said the committee closely reviewed résumés of about a dozen candidates.

 

No finalists have been selected, Nance said.

 

Initially, Nance told The Plain Dealer that the résumés were returned to someone at the search firm and then either given back to the candidates or destroyed. Asked if destroying the résumés, is illegal, he said: "I don't have a position to tell you one way or another."

 

Later, Nance said the résumés had not been destroyed or discarded.

 

The search for an airport director is a controversial one. Many influential business leaders say director John Mok has done a good job and want him to stay. Mok was appointed by former Mayor Jane Campbell.

 

Jackson said he wants to select the airport director. Mok has reapplied for the job, and Jackson has not ruled him out as a candidate.

This is all very strange.  Outside of the CLE director process, Jackson looks great.  But if you only judged Jackson's performanced based on this search, you'd think he was some good-ole boy network politician.  This is very strange.  If the new candidates are that much better than Mok, why would you try to hide their resumes? 

 

As much as people griped about Jane Campbell and I'm not suggesting she was free from shenanigans, but you didn't see this level of shadiness with her administration when it came to such a high-profile position.

and from Nance?  I thought he was one of the good guys?

"Nance should be familiar with the laws on résumés as public records. He was part of a selection team that interviewed the police chief candidates whose résumés were kept private during former Mayor Michael White's administration.

 

The Plain Dealer sued. In 1996, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the city broke the law by not making the documents public and ordered the city to reimburse the newspaper for its legal fees"

I know, I've just always heard him referred to as one of Cleveland's "heroes."  This is throwing me for a loop!

I remember Fred Nance as very intertwined in the White Administration.

My fear of Mayor Jackson is rooted there.  Mike White came in a lot of energy, great ideas, a top notch staff, and a little cronyism.  As the years past, the the energy lessened, so did the ideas, Mayor White turned on many of his staff, and all that was left was cronyism.

 

I am happy with the present, but I am dreading the future. Please Frank, PLEASE prove me wrong!!!

I'm still skeptical about Mr. Jackson. 

 

Losing Mok would be a setback for CLE especially when the airport wants to and can expand (IIRC, the airport can handle up to 20-22M  passengers a year although currently only handled 13M) as well as attract new carriers.

 

Passenger traffice at CLE was up last year and hopefully will be up again this year as booking switch to CO from NW and DL in our area and the downsizing in PIT helped.

 

From what I understand Mok is the "cream of the crop" when it comes to airport management.

 

We can't let him go!

John Mok is out. This new guy better be at least as well regarded as Mok or we (Greater Cleveland) just took a step backward. I don't understand why it is was necessary to replace Mok.

__________________

 

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/mayor/press/2006/200604/04_21_2006.htm

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Mayor's Office of Communications

Cleveland City Hall

601 Lakeside Ave., Room 227

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Telephone: (216) 664-2220

Facsimile: (216) 664-3570

www.cleveland-oh.gov  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Maureen Harper, Chief of Communications 

(216) 664-2220

Michael House, Press Secretary

(216) 664-4171

 

 

RICKY D. SMITH, SR. NAMED DIRECTOR OF PORT CONTROL

 

CLEVELAND , Apr il 21, 2006 – Mayor Frank G. Jackson has named Ricky D. Smith, Sr. as the next Director of Port Control for the City of Cleveland .  Mr. Smith will oversee the administration of Cleveland Hopkins International and Burke Lakefront Airports as well as the use of City-owned land along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River .  Mr. Smith is currently the Senior Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), which is responsible for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport . 

 

Mr. Smith will join Mayor Jackson at a news conference on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in the Red Room, City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue .   

 

Over the last 17 years, Mr. Smith has had management responsibility for business administration, airport operations, planning and engineering, marketing and air service development – virtually every major function of a large commercial airport. He is credited with overseeing the development and implementation of BWI’s $2 billion expansion program, including the new Southwest Airlines terminal. Mr. Smith led the development of a new concession and retail program, a new airport/airline use and lease agreement and expansion of the airport’s domestic and international air service program.

 

He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola College in Maryland in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Howard University in 1987. His leadership development pursuits include participation in programs such as the Greater Baltimore Committee’s The Leadership Association and the world-renowned University of Maryland’s Government Executive Institute.

 

Mr. Smith has an outstanding reputation in the industry as well as the civic community. He is a member of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials’ Standing Committee on Aviation; a Board Member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, and Chair of its Government Affairs Committee; a member of the Transportation Research Board Security Research Funding Committee; and Chair of the Conference of Minority Transportation Official’s Maryland Chapter.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, Mr. Smith shared information during the candidate selection process about a 2003 parking violation that escalated into a trespassing charge which was later dismissed. “The parking violation was overblown and the court agreed not to file the incident. Until recently, I was not aware that the matter was recorded,” he said.

 

Mayor Jackson thanked Mr. Smith for disclosing the information and does not view the incident as a hindrance to Mr. Smith’s ability to perform his duties.

 

Mr. Smith is expected to start working for the City of Cleveland in mid-June.

 

-30-

Mok is gone. I sure hope Ricky Smith is all that Jackson thinks he is or this is a step backwards for the region.

__________________-

 

http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/mayor/press/2006/200604/04_21_2006.htm

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Mayor's Office of Communications

Cleveland City Hall

601 Lakeside Ave., Room 227

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

Telephone: (216) 664-2220

Facsimile: (216) 664-3570

www.cleveland-oh.gov  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Maureen Harper, Chief of Communications 

(216) 664-2220

Michael House, Press Secretary

(216) 664-4171

 

 

RICKY D. SMITH, SR. NAMED DIRECTOR OF PORT CONTROL

 

CLEVELAND , Apr il 21, 2006 – Mayor Frank G. Jackson has named Ricky D. Smith, Sr. as the next Director of Port Control for the City of Cleveland .  Mr. Smith will oversee the administration of Cleveland Hopkins International and Burke Lakefront Airports as well as the use of City-owned land along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River .  Mr. Smith is currently the Senior Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), which is responsible for the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Martin State Airport . 

 

Mr. Smith will join Mayor Jackson at a news conference on Friday, April 21, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in the Red Room, City Hall, 601 Lakeside Avenue .   

 

Over the last 17 years, Mr. Smith has had management responsibility for business administration, airport operations, planning and engineering, marketing and air service development – virtually every major function of a large commercial airport. He is credited with overseeing the development and implementation of BWI’s $2 billion expansion program, including the new Southwest Airlines terminal. Mr. Smith led the development of a new concession and retail program, a new airport/airline use and lease agreement and expansion of the airport’s domestic and international air service program.

 

He earned a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola College in Maryland in 1999 and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Howard University in 1987. His leadership development pursuits include participation in programs such as the Greater Baltimore Committee’s The Leadership Association and the world-renowned University of Maryland’s Government Executive Institute.

 

Mr. Smith has an outstanding reputation in the industry as well as the civic community. He is a member of the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials’ Standing Committee on Aviation; a Board Member of the Airport Minority Advisory Council, and Chair of its Government Affairs Committee; a member of the Transportation Research Board Security Research Funding Committee; and Chair of the Conference of Minority Transportation Official’s Maryland Chapter.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, Mr. Smith shared information during the candidate selection process about a 2003 parking violation that escalated into a trespassing charge which was later dismissed. “The parking violation was overblown and the court agreed not to file the incident. Until recently, I was not aware that the matter was recorded,” he said.

 

Mayor Jackson thanked Mr. Smith for disclosing the information and does not view the incident as a hindrance to Mr. Smith’s ability to perform his duties.

 

Mr. Smith is expected to start working for the City of Cleveland in mid-June.

 

-30-

I don't believe this!  I hope explains why this "change" WAS NEEDED.

 

 

I'm sad for Mok, yet grateful for all he has done for our airport.  I know you read this forum and BEST OF LUCK to you.

 

I hope Ricky is worth this change.  BWI has grow by leaps and bounds as Southwest kicked USAir's but right out of Baltibore.  Lets hope Ricky can take the airport and all its operations to the next level.  Also, will Ricky and family live in Cleveland proper or the burbs?

When I was in BWI in early 2003 it looked kind of dumpy.  Any one know if it has it improved lately?

Hopkins has improved a lot in the last few years, w/ the new terminal and underground tunnel to it, and the promise of the extended runway.  Its appearance is much better.  Credit to goes to Mok, but much work needs to be done.  As we speak, Southwest is adding a Philly to Columbus route while still having no direct Cleveland-to-Philly route.  We've got to fight back in getting low cost carriers into Hopkins (wresting them from Akron-Canton) in a way similar to how O'Hare fought back against Midway's 80s-90s low-cost air boon in Chicago.  At least, I hope the talk of a Brecksville-located "super airport" has been put to bed.  Let's hope Ricky Smith is worth the change and not just a Jackson patronage pick.

I want to see some pictures of the airport.

Which one? Hopkins or BWI?

Hopefully Hopkins will see more growth as Continental grabs more market share from NWA.  Then again, what if they merged and moved the hub to that fancy new terminal at Detroit Metro.  Not that I heard anything like that....just saying 'what if'.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-060526continental-story,1,5469699.story?coll=chi-business-hed

 

Continental passes Northwest in airline rankings

By Mary Schlangenstein

Bloomberg News

Published May 26, 2006, 10:55 AM CDT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully Hopkins will see more growth as Continental grabs more market share from NWA.  Then again, what if they merged and moved the hub to that fancy new terminal at Detroit Metro.  Not that I heard anything like that....just saying 'what if'.

 

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-060526continental-story,1,5469699.story?coll=chi-business-hed

 

Continental passes Northwest in airline rankings

By Mary Schlangenstein

Bloomberg News

Published May 26, 2006, 10:55 AM CDT

 

 

Continental Airlines Inc. has passed bankrupt Northwest Airlines Corp. to become the fourth-largest U.S. carrier, the first change in the top-five rankings since 2001.

 

Southwest Airlines Co., the largest low-fare carrier, also may be close to tying Northwest for the No. 5 spot by year's end as it expands seating capacity by as much as 9 percent.

 

Continental is expanding as Northwest and other rivals cut capacity to help boost fares. With $1.6 billion in annual cost savings since 2002 and a younger, more fuel-efficient fleet, Continental plans to grow by 8.3 percent this year.

 

``There is a shift happening,'' said Alan Sbarra, an airline consultant with San Francisco-based Roach & Sbarra. ``We're going to see that carriers that do not get their costs in order and can't compete in the long run are going to shrink more and more.''

 

The rankings are based on carriers' reports through April on traffic, or the number of miles flown by paying passengers. Traffic at Houston-based Continental rose 13 percent to 24.6 billion miles. Northwest fell 6.2 percent to 23 billion. Southwest climbed 17 percent to 21 billion.

 

AMR Corp.'s American Airlines is the world's largest carrier, followed by UAL Corp.'s United Airlines, which exited bankruptcy Feb. 1. Delta Air Lines Inc., the No. 3 U.S. carrier, is in bankruptcy protection and also is cutting capacity.

 

The last change among the top five occurred in April 2001, when AMR acquired bankrupt Trans World Airlines Inc. and moved ahead of United as the largest carrier.

 

Continental's move to the No. 4 spot also marks the first shift among the industry leaders because of an airline's own growth, not a merger, since at least 1997, according to Bloomberg data.

 

``It doesn't surprise me to see Continental move up that rung,'' Terry Trippler, who monitors fares and the airline industry for Cheapseats.com, said in an interview. ``This is an airline on the move in more ways than one. Northwest and Delta are not going in the same direction as Continental.''

 

The five largest U.S. carriers all make longer-distance international flights and are expanding in those markets, where they don't face low-fare competition. Southwest flies only in the U.S.

 

Counting cuts in domestic service, overall capacity is falling for most large U.S. carriers. Delta may shrink by 7 percent, and American by 1.3 percent.

 

Northwest has been shedding planes and unprofitable routes since it filed for Chapter 11 protection Sept. 14. The Eagan, Minnesota-based airline cut capacity in its main jet operations by 11 percent in the first quarter, and has said the reductions may reach 15 percent or more.

 

Northwest spokesman Kurt Ebenhoch declined to comment on the rankings change.

 

The airline was in fourth place in the traffic standings at the end of 2005. Continental has surpassed it each month in 2006.

 

``Being number four or five is not as important as being profitable,'' Trippler said. ``But that change is still a blow to Northwest. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it. It's a feather in the cap of Continental.''

 

Continental posted $985 million in losses in the past five years. This year, the Houston-based carrier is expected to earn $2.08 a share, the median estimate of four analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.

 

It's been through bankruptcy twice, in 1983 and again in 1990, to reorganize and gain lower costs.

 

Among the benefits is a newer, more fuel-efficient fleet. Continental's planes are an average of 6.6 years old, compared with 17.6 years for Northwest, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Fuel accounts for about 22 percent of Continental's operating expense, compared with about 24 percent for Northwest and 27 percent for American.

 

Continental's savings from operations include $500 million in pay and benefit concessions by employees last year.

 

``Because of their personal sacrifices, Continental was able to survive the tough times, avoid the fate of other airlines that are now in bankruptcy and embark on one of the most aggressive expansion plans in our history,'' said Julie King, a Continental spokeswoman.

 

Northwest may restore capacity after emerging from bankruptcy protection, Sbarra said. ``We'll have to wait and see how much of Northwest's cuts are temporary.''

 

The airline hasn't set a target date for emerging from Chapter 11, and it declined to comment on future capacity growth.

 

As Northwest contracts, the growth of Dallas-based Southwest is narrowing the gap between the two. If the carriers' traffic stays on its current pace, Southwest's traffic would be 99 percent of Northwest's by the end of 2006.

 

A move by Southwest into the top five carriers would be a first for a U.S. discount airline. Southwest has been profitable for 33 consecutive years and hasn't had a money-losing quarter since 1991, a streak unmatched in the industry.

 

Southwest is using lower fares to win passengers from larger rivals, particularly in markets where competitors reduce service, Sbarra said.

 

``Southwest is an animal all of its own,'' Trippler said. ``They are coming on strong.''

 

 

 

(newsticker noise)For a reliable source......the airport is recovering and has an uptick of passengers and the NW & DL bankruptcies and the closure of the USAir hub in Pits has had a positive effect on CLE operations.  In addition, CLE gets schedule changes do to uptick in tourist traffic in the summer months through october.

 

Also, from some Aviation folks, with the NW/DL/CO "code sharing agreement" Cleveland would most like be safe as Memphis (would be dropped by NW) CVG & MPL would be in jeopardy as DL builds up at JFK and MPL and DTW hubs are expensive to operate.  Yet nothing is a gaurantee these days!  I'm so sure someone in CMH will chime in.  :evil:

 

And on a personal note, I strickly fly Continental and I can say on my last 10/15 flights from/to Cleveland the flights have be jam packed - not an empty seat on the plane.

Fuel accounts for about 22 percent of Continental's operating expense, compared with about 24 percent for Northwest and 27 percent for American.

 

Just for comparison's sake, energy expenses (including electricity costs for powering trains in the Northeast) represent about 5 percent of Amtrak's operating costs.

KJP...I was just looking at your diagram of Hopkins for the first time. They are really talking about a complete rebuild here! I do like the way the RTA and the high speed passsenger line slices thu the whole complex in a subway. It makes a lot of sense and looks like an efficient layout.

 

How does the RTA and the HSR line run west of there? I imagine we are grade separated thru Berea?

While the number of runways, their approximate lengths and alignments are what Hopkins officials have considered (along with the general location of a new midfield terminal), the rail/transit/people mover routes are my additions. I also made a guess as to how the access road might look.

 

For the most part, I would route the rail line southwest from airport, running across country on a new alignment. The line to Toledo would curve away first, closer to Olmsted Falls than the older parts of Berea (though still in recently annexed land by Berea) and follow the NS main from there. The line to Columbus would continue southwest cross-country to a point a few hundred feet south of where the CSX line crosses the Ohio Turnpike. The line would follow CSX into Columbus. About six to seven miles of new right of way would need to be constructed.

any updates on this service?

There are no listed or bookable nonstop flights on AeroMexico's website, nor can I find any on other search engines or travel agent sites. The DOT docket stated service was to begin around April, but I haven't seen any AeroMexico aircraft traveling to Cleveland yet.

I wonder if Mok had a personal relationship with them, and he was able to woo them to come here. 

Even so, if it made business sense to come here last year, it would still make sense this year.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1150533041181290.xml&coll=2

 

New airport boss reveals high hopes for Hopkins

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Susan Vinella

Plain Dealer Reporter

 

Ricky D. Smith says Cleveland Hopkins International has the feel of an old airport.

 

So the new airport director, who starts Monday, has a challenge ahead of him. He wants to make the place so vibrant that you, your neighbors and even people from be yond Northeast Ohio want to fly out of Hopkins.

 

He said Fri day that he would focus im mediately on sprucing up the airport and doing whatever is necessary to help passengers navigate easily through the terminal. That might mean improving the bathrooms and waiting areas, or rearranging or adding some signs to help people find their way, Smith said Friday in a phone interview.

 

Eventually, Smith, who will be paid $208,000 a year, said he would like to give the terminal a complete makeover. But he knows that takes money, which the airport doesn't have.

 

His longer-term goals are more daunting: increasing revenue, creating a regional marketing plan and offering more direct national and international flights.

 

 

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

 

[email protected], 216-999-5010

 

 

Picture of the new airport boss.

 

 

As a person of color, I like that Frank has filled this position (formerly held by a person of color) with another person of color.  This sends a positive message to the citizens that voted for Frank and the city's youth/up-and-coming people of color.

 

from USAToday:  http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/06/new_cleveland_a.html#comments

"As a person of color, I like that Frank has filled this position (formerly held by a person of color) with another person of color."

 

As a voting and taxpaying resident of the city of Cleveland, I like that Frank has filled this position with someone who (hopefully) is the best person for the job. I don't give a rat's patooty if the man is tie-dyed, paisley, or chartreuse, as long as he's the best person for the job and will give me (the taxpayer) a good ROI.

"As a person of color, I like that Frank has filled this position (formerly held by a person of color) with another person of color."

 

As a voting and taxpaying resident of the city of Cleveland, I like that Frank has filled this position with someone who (hopefully) is the best person for the job. I don't give a rat's patooty if the man is tie-dyed, paisley, or chartreuse, as long as he's the best person for the job and will give me (the taxpayer) a good ROI.

 

That was implied in one of my earlier post as I am a fan of Mok's.    I think Mok took a mess of an airport, corrected its finances, repaired relationships, managed to fix the f*cked up runway replacement problem and brought some respectability to the airport and its executive staff.  He listened to businesses leaders as well as flyers concerns on how to improve the airport.  Time will only tell if Mr. Smith can build on Moks foundation and if the reason(s) for replacing Mok were/are justified.

 

Considering that we still haven't heard the real reason for replacing Mok, it is unlikely we will find out if it was justified any time soon.

I may be in the minority but I think the BWI guy was great pick up for the airport.

 

While Mok did a good job of turning Hopkins from an embarassment to now just a below average airport, I wouldn't say he did a great job.

 

The airport looks nicer from the arrival/departures area...and the closer parking garage was need. But the mayor is right...when you fly into Hopkins and see it from the gate...it looks like an airport from the 1960's. On top of that Mok did a good job of pissing of Continetal a few times, and honestly if CAL leaves Hopkins, airport traffic will look like Pittsburgh in a heart beat. The airport 'expansion' has not gone very smooth either. People in Brook Park are still wondering if their houses are going to bought.

 

That being said, you could build a 14,000 ft. runway and I still don't think you'd have any demand from airlines to fly internationally besides cargo.

 

The BWI guy on the other hand turned BWI from a completely domestic USAir hub....into a minor truly international airport with a large low-cost carrier presence.

 

BWI now has non-stops to London-Heathrow on British Airways, Reykavik(sp?) on IcelandAir and Shannon, Ireland on Aer Lingus. How? They actually have an international terminal....not a just a few gates at the end of a concourse. And it's better than CLE's current summer only London-Gatwick service that Continental provides and constantly threatens to shut down. Beyond Gatwick...what does CLE really offer outside of LGW in terms of international service? Cancun on Saturdays? I don't really count Toronto and Montreal.

 

I think Jackson sees that Continental will not take Cleveland Hopkins seriously as a hub unless he makes a serious change. When was the last time Continental offered service to new city out of CLE? 1999? Oh...I think Continental is offering a non-stop to Hunington and Clarksburg, W. Va. next month. That wouldn't have happened if PIT's US Air hub hadn't collapsed. And seriously...how about a flight to San Diego before West Virginia.

 

That being said the ONLY way to get Cleveland Hopkins truly modernized before it's too late is to let a County or Multi-County entity run it...and get it out of the hands of the Port Authority of Cleveland.

 

Just a thought from a new guy on the board

Welcome aboard. Interesting and intelligent thoughts. It's great to hear a new perspective. Please keep posting!

^^I also believe alot of the success and changes at BWI reflect the expanding economy in that region and the demand for travel.  Cleveland is a little different of a story than Baltimore Washington metroplex as far as economy goes therefore this position should be quite a bit more difficult for him. 

The BWI guy on the other hand turned BWI from a completely domestic USAir hub....into a minor truly international airport with a large low-cost carrier presence.

 

BWI's transformation is not the result of one guy, though.  The State of Maryland has sunk incredible sums of money into that airport over the past few years.  What a fantastic airport--you can fly direct to Manchester, NH or Ghana, and everywhere in between, not to mention the rail connection to the entire Northeast Corridor.

 

True, the business climate in this region drives a lot of the investment (what other region has three solid airports?), but on the other side of the coin, I think Cleveland's complacency and reluctance to invest in itself have helped drive Hopkins in the other direction.  All these factors are tightly intertwined.

The BWI guy on the other hand turned BWI from a completely domestic USAir hub....into a minor truly international airport with a large low-cost carrier presence.

 

 

True, the business climate in this region drives a lot of the investment (what other region has three solid airports?)

 

 

err....

 

 

and speaking of tightly intertwined, let's not forget that akron-canton seems to be profiting at least somewhat from hopkin's messiness. cak is very well run and they have been reinventing themselves and luring in the low cost crowd (ie., airtran).

 

good luck to the new guy he'll have his work cut out for him.

 

 

 

I thought Mok was suggested to Campbell by Continental

^^I also believe alot of the success and changes at BWI reflect the expanding economy in that region and the demand for travel.  Cleveland is a little different of a story than Baltimore Washington metroplex as far as economy goes therefore this position should be quite a bit more difficult for him. 

 

Yeah, but let's be honest it's not like Detroit's economy is not growing by leaps and bounds and they have a hub in DTW that puts any one of the three airports here in the DC area to shame. Not only non-stops to Tokyo...but to freaking Nagoya. If Cincinnati can have year round non-stops to London-Gatwick, Paris and Frankfurt, I don't think it's that far of a stretch to think Cleveland to have the same service. It starts with upgrading the terminal facility for wide-body service. The runway extention should be done next year...it's time to get the terminal up do date. That's why I think they dumped Mok. It's not going to cost billions of dollars to turn the A gates or the C gates into something more modern. Like I said, I think Jackson gets it more than Campbell did on this one. If Continental wont provide the service after the upgrades....then you get a Lufthansa to provide service and put the screws to Continental.

The BWI guy on the other hand turned BWI from a completely domestic USAir hub....into a minor truly international airport with a large low-cost carrier presence.

 

BWI's transformation is not the result of one guy, though.  The State of Maryland has sunk incredible sums of money into that airport over the past few years.  What a fantastic airport--you can fly direct to Manchester, NH or Ghana, and everywhere in between, not to mention the rail connection to the entire Northeast Corridor.

 

True, the business climate in this region drives a lot of the investment (what other region has three solid airports?), but on the other side of the coin, I think Cleveland's complacency and reluctance to invest in itself have helped drive Hopkins in the other direction.  All these factors are tightly intertwined.

 

BWI is nice, DCA is nicer but won't be able to grow much....to bad the airport I work at - Dulles....is pretty much a dump except for the B concourse.  It is probably the worst designed airport in the country in terms of layout.

 

BWI's transformation is not the result of one guy, though.  The State of Maryland has sunk incredible sums of money into that airport over the past few years.  What a fantastic airport--you can fly direct to Manchester, NH or Ghana, and everywhere in between, not to mention the rail connection to the entire Northeast Corridor.

 

True, the business climate in this region drives a lot of the investment (what other region has three solid airports?), but on the other side of the coin, I think Cleveland's complacency and reluctance to invest in itself have helped drive Hopkins in the other direction.  All these factors are tightly intertwined.

 

BWI also lies within the NE Corridor and is served by Maryland commuter rail trains plus Amtrak.  This makes it really easy to reach from metro areas, thereby further increasing BWI's market.  That's why I just LUVVV KJPs CLE intercity passenger rail station proposal!

Thanks. Send royalty check, please!

CLE-MEX not in the flight guide for July 2006 either. But from what I understand you can apply and even have a start date for a route and it's still vaild for quite some time. That being said, and again I know I'm in the minority on this one, Mok and Campbell had alot of grand ideas for Hopkins in terms of new service but nothing ever came of them. We actually have less international service than when White was mayor. And under White we did good job of pissing of CAL and a few international carriers that wanted service in Hopkins. I just hope the charter plan didn't fall through. As for Copa, I highly doubt that will happen due to their ties to CAL. I'd like to see Lufthansa start service in CLE. Air France is too tied up with Delta, and we are to close to the Delta CVG hub to see CDG/Air France service. As for the other airlines mentioned in the first post....if we can't get this AeroMex charter thing off the ground, I don't see them lining up for Hopkins service.

 

There is a silver lining in all this...in that CAL is picking up 787's. They are touted as being very fuel efficent and performance friendly and easy to change configuration in the aircraft. I could see current 757 service being replaced by the 787 and CAL having less excuses for not allowing more international service out of CLE. That being said....terminal upgrades are a must...and maybe that's why Mok is out. Just a thought.

Hmmm...AmrapinVA. You wouldn't happen to work for the Great Silver Fleet, would you?

 

Either way, it's great having a fellow aviation afficianado here, and I definitely agree with the majority of your assessments regarding the state of affairs in CLE. The introduction of the 787 could definitely be the answer to CLE's quest for greater international service, as the efficiencies provided by the aircraft could allow for profitable, year-round service to more than just London. Or, depending on what Continental plans to do with its transatlantic 757 fleet, the 75s currently flying those long, thin transatlantic routes could be freed up by the 787 and redeployed out of Cleveland. It should be interesting to see how CLE evolves over the next year or two as the industry as a whole continues to react to the ever-changing market.

I thought there was a thread with discussion about new international flights recently. I don't think I found it. But I have a tip that the two new direct service flights are being planned for Cleveland to Amsterdam, and Cleveland to Paris.

^ i think that was in the Aeromexico thread

 

ooo Amsterdam???  this sounds exciting

I thought there was a thread with discussion about new international flights recently. I don't think I found it. But I have a tip that the two new direct service flights are being planned for Cleveland to Amsterdam, and Cleveland to Paris.

 

To piggy back on this.  I've got a strong tip, that London will go back to year round service and we'll get Honolulu as well.  I also was told - this has not been confirmed - that continental will direct (about 10-15%) of its flights from EWR to Cleveland to relieve EWR of its massive delays.  There would be ½ hr. shuttle service from CLE to EWR from 5AM to 8AM and 4PM to 7PM.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I thought there was a thread with discussion about new international flights recently. I don't think I found it. But I have a tip that the two new direct service flights are being planned for Cleveland to Amsterdam, and Cleveland to Paris.

 

 

To piggy back on this.  I've got a strong tip, that London will go back to year round service and we'll get Honolulu as well.  I also was told - this has not been confirmed - that continental will direct (about 10-15%) of its flights from EWR to Cleveland to relieve EWR of its massive delays.  There would be ½ hr. shuttle service from CLE to EWR from 5AM to 8AM and 4PM to 7PM.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

 

I heard similar rumors as well. CLE-LGW is slated to become year-round service and the possibility does exist that an aircraft upgrade could be in line as well. CDG and AMS would be the most logical choices for expanded European service, since they are both Skyteam hubs. I personally would imagine AMS would be the next destination to be offered nonstop from CLE, followed by CDG. The next few months could be interesting for Continental and Cleveland if things work out as rumored.