September 11, 200618 yr I think that C and D are fine. Yeah, they do need some TVs, but otherwise they aren't all that bad.
September 11, 200618 yr Wow - I had absolutely no idea what the hell the title of this thread meant. I think I've picked it up from context now...
September 12, 200618 yr Rumor has it that Continental will announce nonstop service from Cleveland to Paris (De Gaulle) sometime in October. Aircraft type, departure/arrival times, and frequency have not been revealed. Rumors are also circulating that Continental will embark in a large expansion of the CLE hub, mostly with new, advanced turboprop aircraft to current and possibly new markets. I'll post here if/when official word becomes available. I was in the Presidents club and overheard this as well. The LGW flight end soon and the rumor is Newark is getting WAY to backed up and Cleveland has the opportunity to proved relief and a MUCH EASIER international connection.....but why to AWFUL CDG??? :? AMS is a much better European connection! In regards to the turbo props, I understand (this is only speculation) that these wouldn't be coming to Cleveland only to Newark and Houston. As the EMB 135/145 are more profitable in Cleveland. Also, folks are saying kellner will be in Cleveland to talk about better service to the West Coast, expanded carib destinations for winter and CLE-HNL, Frankfort, Rome and TLV flights. Has Mr. Smith been busy or are these things Mok started?? I would love a 767 for the CDG flights! I wonder why Continental is getting the equipment for this flight. I assume the same plane it currently uses for the LGW flights will just move over for the CDG flights? I hope this flight is scheduled atleast 4 times a week. As a person who uses the airport quite freuquently, I've been to CLE 3 times since Saturday (LGA-CLE then CLE-MDW-CLE-LGA), D & C do their jobs. They are running out of space at the jetway gate as the multi load gates are getting heavy use. I would like Continental to take over the B Concourse. Put NW and Delta on B with Continental and put all the other carriers on A. Then completely open up the obersation deck or make it a cool restaurant/lounge [i love watching planes take off or land from up there] or create a shared PC/CRC/WC in that space.
September 12, 200618 yr Well, if true this would be great. I wonder what it will mean for economic development in NEO?
September 12, 200618 yr In regards to the turbo props, I understand (this is only speculation) that these wouldn't be coming to Cleveland only to Newark and Houston. As the EMB 135/145 are more profitable in Cleveland. The much talked-about addition of larger turboprop equipment certainly does include Cleveland, in addition to Newark and Houston. Remember, Commutair currently has around 2 dozen 19-seat props running out of CLE on a daily basis, as well as new entrant RegionsAir, which provides EAS service to several towns in West Virginia dba Continental Express on 34-seat props. What I'm hearing is that the larger props would be operated by Commutair and would replace service currently operated by the 19-seat props in select markets where the demand is large enough to warrant the increased seats. The ERJ-135/145s are not cost effective in these markets due to the high operating costs of the regional jet in comparison to the prop aircraft. Because of this, several markets that currently have RJ service from CLE would likely also be transitioned to prop flying. By placing these new turboprop aircraft on existing routes, it would free up aircraft to start flights to new cities from CLE, further increasing the amount of connecting traffic filtered through the hub, which would make service to CDG even more viable. Keep in mind though, in this industry, rumor and speculation run rampant, so don't take anything as fact until the plane is physically parked at the gate. But these rumors have become more and more persistant, and the sources are becoming more and more reliable. Hopefully we'll find out come October.
September 12, 200618 yr Who is Kellner? Kellner is Continental's current CEO. CLE-HNL, Frankfort, Rome and TLV flights. Frankfort, eh? Continental Express already flies between Cleveland and Lexington, I don't think they'd need to go into Frankfort too... :wink:
September 12, 200618 yr In regards to the turbo props, I understand (this is only speculation) that these wouldn't be coming to Cleveland only to Newark and Houston. As the EMB 135/145 are more profitable in Cleveland. The much talked-about addition of larger turboprop equipment certainly does include Cleveland, in addition to Newark and Houston. Remember, Commutair currently has around 2 dozen 19-seat props running out of CLE on a daily basis, as well as new entrant RegionsAir, which provides EAS service to several towns in West Virginia dba Continental Express on 34-seat props. What I'm hearing is that the larger props would be operated by Commutair and would replace service currently operated by the 19-seat props in select markets where the demand is large enough to warrant the increased seats. The ERJ-135/145s are not cost effective in these markets due to the high operating costs of the regional jet in comparison to the prop aircraft. Because of this, several markets that currently have RJ service from CLE would likely also be transitioned to prop flying. By placing these new turboprop aircraft on existing routes, it would free up aircraft to start flights to new cities from CLE, further increasing the amount of connecting traffic filtered through the hub, which would make service to CDG even more viable. Keep in mind though, in this industry, rumor and speculation run rampant, so don't take anything as fact until the plane is physically parked at the gate. But these rumors have become more and more persistant, and the sources are becoming more and more reliable. Hopefully we'll find out come October. i see what you're saying and it does make sense. I totally forgot about those turbo props to the super small markets. We in the PC club were just happy to see "hear" this rumor, non of us thought about those small cities. O&D traffic is up in Cleveland and this will only help. As NW is becoming unpredictable this could be good to bring traffic from the midwest to Cleveland as NW frequent flyers can still redeem/earn points on continental flights. In regards to profit, i was referring to the RJs on route that has high frequencies and continental doesn have to fly a 737 type jet. for instance chicago or JFK. CLE-HNL, Frankfort, Rome and TLV flights. Frankfort, eh? Continental Express already flies between Cleveland and Lexington, I don't think they'd need to go into Frankfort too... :wink: you're going straight to hell for that! LMAO!! :evil:
September 13, 200618 yr Well, the new turboprop rumor has been confirmed! http://www.commutair.com/PressReleases/PressRelease20060912-Q200.pdf Plattsburgh, N.Y. September 12, 2006 - Champlain Enterprises, Inc., dba CommutAir/“Continental Connection” announced today that it has signed a lease agreement with Horizon Airlines of Seattle, Washington for sixteen Bombardier Q-200 series aircraft, including maintenance and training support as well as spare parts. The aircraft will be delivered beginning in January 2007 and will be placed into service for Continental Airlines (NYSE:CAL) at its Cleveland hub. Next hopefully is an announcement of CLE-CDG service.
September 13, 200618 yr CMH Downtown, How'd you get the scoop on that? That's awesome if it's true...but didn't CAL management come out and say that LGW was gonna be put to the scrap heap if "open skies" came through and that it's performing "marginally" (whatever that means). I'm suprised that they would start service in October too, considering London was scrapped from year-round status because loads were weak during the winter according to past CAL mgmt statements. But maybe it'll be Paris-winter, London-summer. I can live with that for the short term. As for CDG being a viable option, most airlines go London, Paris then Frankfurt when establishing international service out of hub. Although sometimes Frankfurt gets pushed ahead of Paris. AMS is usually a fourth option, unless you have a code-share with KLM like NWA does. Example: Delta's CVG operation has LGW, CDG and FRA. They've tried other European 'gateways' but they haven't stuck. If Mr. Smith pulled something off like this though, it's time to start saying "Mok-who?" Concourse upgrades still need to be done in order for European service to get really cranking though.
September 13, 200618 yr http://www.airliners.net Check out their forums; best source of airline news, information, and rumors on the 'net. Also, the service wouldn't start in October, it would be announced in October. A realistic start date would probably be March or April 2007, once all regulatory and government hurdles are passed. Also, the customs and immigration area is supposed to be overhauled once Continental's LGW flight ceases operation for the slow travel season, which would make sense for the additional traffic a Paris flight would generate. Speaking of the LGW flight, I know the PD and other sources have talked about Continental's relative dissatisfaction with the route, but with the additional feed provided by Commutair and RegionsAir out of CLE, plus the congestion factor at EWR, maybe they're going to give it another shot. I'd like to see LGW become year-round service in addition to CDG service, be that year-round or seasonal. There's also been talk of CDG being on a widebody 767-200, which would be a first for Continental at CLE. I believe the last time CO sent widebodies to CLE was when the acquired some ex-PanAm A300s back in the early 90s. Those aircraft were quickly disposed of in favor of transitioning to an all-Boeing fleet.
September 13, 200618 yr CMH Downtown, How'd you get the scoop on that? That's awesome if it's true...but didn't CAL management come out and say that LGW was gonna be put to the scrap heap if "open skies" came through and that it's performing "marginally" (whatever that means). I'm suprised that they would start service in October too, considering London was scrapped from year-round status because loads were weak during the winter according to past CAL mgmt statements. But maybe it'll be Paris-winter, London-summer. I can live with that for the short term. As for CDG being a viable option, most airlines go London, Paris then Frankfurt when establishing international service out of hub. Although sometimes Frankfurt gets pushed ahead of Paris. AMS is usually a fourth option, unless you have a code-share with KLM like NWA does. Example: Delta's CVG operation has LGW, CDG and FRA. They've tried other European 'gateways' but they haven't stuck. If Mr. Smith pulled something off like this though, it's time to start saying "Mok-who?" Concourse upgrades still need to be done in order for European service to get really cranking though. It funny. Ive become pretty chummy with the 2nd in command at hopkins and he told me the london-cleveland is a good flight and profitable. or else it would have been axed completely. I went to london and the plane was packed. The continental staff here has been begging for more flights, especially to the west coast and carib. But i was also told, that Clevelanders dont voice their needs as much as the new york are or houston (since it continentals home). The best we can do is book seats out of Cleveland and make sure to keep on legislators to work with other GLOBAL communities that have ties to Cleveland. Congestion at newark makes me avoid that place at all cost.
September 13, 200618 yr http://www.airliners.net Check out their forums; best source of airline news, information, and rumors on the 'net. Also, the service wouldn't start in October, it would be announced in October. A realistic start date would probably be March or April 2007, once all regulatory and government hurdles are passed. Also, the customs and immigration area is supposed to be overhauled once Continental's LGW flight ceases operation for the slow travel season, which would make sense for the additional traffic a Paris flight would generate. Speaking of the LGW flight, I know the PD and other sources have talked about Continental's relative dissatisfaction with the route, but with the additional feed provided by Commutair and RegionsAir out of CLE, plus the congestion factor at EWR, maybe they're going to give it another shot. I'd like to see LGW become year-round service in addition to CDG service, be that year-round or seasonal. There's also been talk of CDG being on a widebody 767-200, which would be a first for Continental at CLE. I believe the last time CO sent widebodies to CLE was when the acquired some ex-PanAm A300s back in the early 90s. Those aircraft were quickly disposed of in favor of transitioning to an all-Boeing fleet. I remember those. those planes would fly to Denver and the West Coast.
September 13, 200618 yr (not sure if this is the best place to post this - feel free to move) From Crains: http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060913/FREE/60913006/1008/newsletter01 Airport improvements By JAY MILLER 2:49 pm, September 13, 2006 Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson today announced his plans for improving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and evaluating the Burke Lakefront Airport property. As Crain’s reported last week, the city plans to raise money by restructuring taxi service and reconfiguring employee parking to begin a freshening up of Cleveland Hopkins. Mayor Jackson said today that the city could generate $8 million a year from the two changes — money that would be used to make the airport more attractive to passengers and to market the airport to airlines that do not yet offer service from Cleveland. The plan would add a 25-cent per trip surcharge to cab rides from the airport and would create at least 600 new, close-in passenger parking spaces by moving airport employees to more remote parking lots. Ricky D. Smith Sr., the director of Port Control, said he also plans to solicit bids to bolster the food and other retail concessions at Cleveland Hopkins. The mayor also said that the city would begin a master plan for the Burke property. While he has in the past said he would be willing to close the lakefront airport, he said the property’s future would depend on the recommendations that come out of a master planning process.
September 15, 200618 yr The best part is we don't lose London. Since the flight starts in 2008. This gives the airport plenty of time to fix any international facilities issues. Thanks Continental. Next stop....Honolulu!
September 15, 200618 yr The official press release: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060915/daf015.html?.v=101 Looks like Continental made the announcement early! This is certainly excellent news for Continental, Cleveland Hopkins, and all of Northeast Ohio to have a second nonstop link to Europe. I figured the route would be seasonal, just like the current LGW flight, but if it takes off, I could definitely see CO making it year-round. I find it extremely interesting that, in addition to the announced CLE-CDG service, that CO wants to tag their proposed EWR-PVG service on to CLE. It sounds like Continental is trying to garner the support of Ohio government leaders to aid in their quest to secure the China route authority, which is currently being fought over by Continental, Northwest, and United. The thing is, I can't really see this being an actual "thru" flight, where the same aircraft operates two separate routes under the same flight number. Many airlines still have thru flights, however there is still a change of aircraft at the hub airport, which is the more likely scenario in this case. EWR-PVG would have to be flown on one of Continental's 777 aircraft. Currently Continental does not fly widebody jets into CLE. It wouldn't make sense for CO to bring in pallet loaders, LD3 containers, and train staff for just one flight to EWR. My guess is that if Continental is granted the authority to fly to Shanghai, a current flight between CLE and EWR will take on the same flight number as the new EWR-PVG flight.
September 15, 200618 yr wow, this is pretty exciting! Like many of us, I hadn't read this thread because I had no idea what the subject line was all about. I can attest to the overcrowding at NYC area airports and I've sworn off air travel to and from that city. Thankfully, we're close enough to bus, train, drive from Cleveland to NYC, but it's too bad for anyone who isn't! I'd never thought about what Newark's congestion meant to the future of air travel at Hopkins. So, good for us!
September 15, 200618 yr Like many of us, I hadn't read this thread because I had no idea what the subject line was all about. LOL, I was half-wondering what the reaction would be if the subject heading was in "airline-ese"... :-) TRANSLATION CO = IATA (International Air Transport Assocation) code for Continental Airlines CLE = IATA code for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport CDG = IATA code for Paris Charles De Gaulle International Airport N/S = common airline designator for a nonstop flight OCT = most airline use the first 3 letters when referring to a calendar month 06 = the year in which said service operates/will operate
September 15, 200618 yr I had to look this one up: PVG = IATA code for Shanghai PuDong Airport P.S., this is fantastic news. The Shanghai link is a big, pleasant surprise. I'm tired of seeing Greater Cleveland lose Fortune 500 HQs because, in part, we lack the international air service of other cities. This should help stem the tide. And just because I'm a rail/transit guy, doesn't mean I can't cheer another force for positive change for the region. In truth, I'm an intermodal guy. Look at what's available at the airports at the overseas ends of these flights and you'll see what I'd like to have happen on this side of the moat. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 15, 200618 yr This is really great news for CLE! You guys in Cleveland should feel pretty lucky to have Continental as your major airline. As bad as the other major ones have gotten, Continental still seems like a nice airline. I took AA from ORD to Seattle recently...4 hour flight, no movie, no snack, no blankets/pillows. One can of pop was it. It is impossible to upgrade because the planes are small with limited 1st class, even on that long of a flight. AA has gotten pretty crappy, I need to spend my miles and stop using them. I can attest to the overcrowding at NYC area airports and I've sworn off air travel to and from that city. I hear that...try doing ORD to LGA as I currently do once a month...two of the worst airports for delays. I flew to LGA today from MDW, and it was the first flight in months that was only 1/2 hour late and not hours.
September 15, 200618 yr I was reading a few websites and noticed that rumors are already starting that Continental would like to also introduce CLE-AMS service. Makes sense, seeing as KLM is also a SkyTeam partner and owned by Air France. CMH..whats your take on this?
September 15, 200618 yr AMS? Definitely the next logical step, as far as I'm concerned. A Continental employee on another forum mentioned that the airline actually preferred to start CLE-AMS instead of Paris, but chose the latter at the request of local government and corporate leaders. Unless Continental decides to expedite new aircraft orders, it would probably be at least until 2010 before AMS could come online, since the airline being strapped for aircraft is apparently the reason that CDG won't start until 2008. Of course, CLE officials could also try luring KLM proper to Hopkins as well.
September 16, 200618 yr I guess thats why they didn't indicate the equipment used for this flight. As well, i hear that the international facilities are to receive a complete overhaul. Which is probably another reason 2008 was chosen. Let hope they can get aircraft mgmt in order to uolster and expand current flight schedules. I hope we'll see other skyteam partners come into cleveland.
September 16, 200618 yr The aircraft will be a 757-200. The same aircraft that currently flies between CLE and LGW. Of course, between now and when the service starts, that could change. "Continental has answered our request to link Cleveland with France using what will prove to be economically viable Boeing 757 service," said Congressman Regula. "Also, the through flight numbers between Cleveland and Shanghai will put Cleveland on the map and give the city and region an additional opportunity to promote themselves across China and the greater Asian region."
September 16, 200618 yr The aircraft will be a 757-200. The same aircraft that currently flies between CLE and LGW. Of course, between now and when the service starts, that could change. "Continental has answered our request to link Cleveland with France using what will prove to be economically viable Boeing 757 service," said Congressman Regula. "Also, the through flight numbers between Cleveland and Shanghai will put Cleveland on the map and give the city and region an additional opportunity to promote themselves across China and the greater Asian region." OPPPS....I missed that :-o
September 18, 200618 yr Sweet! More rumors prove to be true: Continental looking to Paris Continental Airlines Cleveland Hopkins International Airport By JAY MILLER 3:17 pm, September 15, 2006 Continental Airlines, the major airline serving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, today said it will begin nonstop service from Cleveland to Paris in 2008 and said it has applied to offer service to Shanghai, China, beginning in March 2007 through Newark’s Liberty International Airport. The service to Shanghai is highly coveted, and the Chinese government asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to select one U.S. carrier to offer the service. In addition to Continental, American, Northwest and United airlines sought the service. At a press conference in Cleveland this afternoon, Continental officials also said it would be upgrading the fleet of regional aircraft that service Cleveland Hopkins. Beginning in February 2007, Continental will be replacing 19-seat Beechcraft 1900 aircraft with 16 larger, 37-passenger Bombardier Q-200 aircraft for flights operated by Continental’s affiliate, CommutAir, at its Cleveland hub. “This is great news for Hopkins International Airport and industries that are linked to air service growth,” U.S. Sen. George Voinovich said in a statement. “Continental’s new service to France, Europe and other international destinations will increase economic development opportunities in the region as well as provide a direct link between northeastern Ohio and the international community.” Continental president Jeff Smisek praised the efforts of local officials in helping to make the service improvements possible. “Senators Mike DeWine and George Voinovich, Congressmen Ralph Regula, Steve LaTourette and Dave Hobson, and Mayor Frank Jackson continue to demonstrate their support for Continental and my 43,000 co-workers,” Mr. Smisek said. “Over the last 10 years, we have made significant investments in our infrastructure to support continued international growth. Cleveland will be the latest Continental hub to see those benefits.” Continental, like most of the major U.S. carriers, has been expanding its international service, avoiding the price competition with low-cost carriers for domestic routes. In addition to the flights announced today, the Houston-based airline since the first of the year has inaugurated service to Barcelona, Spain, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Netherland Antilles and Roatan, Honduras. I've gotta admit, I'm thrilled and shocked at the same time. It's amazing to me that CAL went from threatening to pull LGW back in July, to now starting CDG. Something big is gonna happen with Hopkins, and sooner than later. This is more than just politicians lobbying for more service out of CLE. They've been doing that for years. CAL sees, or more likely has been promised, something that convinced them to start this service. More than likely Jackson/Smith are more involved in this than what is mentioned on in the press releases and the PD article. It's no coincidence that if you do a Google search of Hopkins you'll find embedded in the CDG articles, stories about improving facilities at Hopkins just days before the Paris announcement. What's interesting about the CAL press release is that it says INITIALLY it will be seasonal service. That's the first time since LGW was downgraded to summer-only that I have seen CAL make any statement (or hint of a statement, which is what it really is) of a possible return to year round service for European flights. This announcement pretty much guarantees that LGW is far from the chopping block as well and may be upgraded to year-round status. I agree with ya CMH on the through flight to Shanghai. That thru-flight option is never much of a success. CAL played with that with LGW back in the early 90's....the CLE-DTW-LGW flight was never much of a success and was pulled only after a year of being in service..and that was offered as a single aircraft flight. United had a 'round-the-world' thru flight LAX-IAD-LHR-DEL-HKG that bombed horribly because after 9/11 it was a 757 trans-con, a 767 to Europe, and a 777 the rest of the route. It sure dosen't feel 'thru' when you have to switch aircraft...which is guaranteed for CLE-EWR-PVG. CAL also is striking because, PIT has lost its European service, and CVG and DET are home to hubs of the worst financially performing airlines in the US, putting their futures in some doubt. Just look at the Comair/Delta mess on the other thread. Good times are ahead, hopefully. I still say San Diego and Seattle need to be addressed too, but this is a good step forward.
September 18, 200618 yr By JAY MILLER 2:49 pm, September 13, 2006 Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson today announced his plans for improving Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and evaluating the Burke Lakefront Airport property. As Crain’s reported last week, the city plans to raise money by restructuring taxi service and reconfiguring employee parking to begin a freshening up of Cleveland Hopkins. Mayor Jackson said today that the city could generate $8 million a year from the two changes — money that would be used to make the airport more attractive to passengers and to market the airport to airlines that do not yet offer service from Cleveland. The plan would add a 25-cent per trip surcharge to cab rides from the airport and would create at least 600 new, close-in passenger parking spaces by moving airport employees to more remote parking lots. Ricky D. Smith Sr., the director of Port Control, said he also plans to solicit bids to bolster the food and other retail concessions at Cleveland Hopkins. The mayor also said that the city would begin a master plan for the Burke property. While he has in the past said he would be willing to close the lakefront airport, he said the property’s future would depend on the recommendations that come out of a master planning process. ^^ Crains Article that came out two days before the CDG announcement. Sums up what they have in store for the near future.
September 25, 200618 yr Hopkins eyes runway expansion Accommodating nonstop flights to Far East a goal of adding 2,250 feet to 9,000-foot strip By DAVID BENNETT 6:00 am, September 25, 2006 Now that Cleveland has Paris, can Singapore be far behind? In the wake of Continental Airlines’ recent announcement that it’s adding a nonstop flight to Paris from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, officials at the airport are moving forward with a plan to extend one of Hopkins’ two main runways to accommodate more international flights. Cleveland City Councilman Michael Dolan, who sits on council’s Aviation and Transportation Com-mittee, said last week the plan involves adding 2,250 feet to an existing 9,000-foot runway, known as 6R/24L. The extension is needed so the runway could handle the wide-body aircraft that would be needed for long-haul transoceanic flights beyond Europe, Mr. Dolan said. Work on the $41 million project could begin early next year and conclude in 2008. Most of the money for the project would come from a bond measure passed in 2000, Mr. Dolan said. The councilman said the runway extension at Hopkins is necessary if local business travelers hope to catch direct flights to other international locations, including Asia and the Pacific Rim. Continental spokesman David Messing said Northeast Ohio companies would need to show a significant amount of interest before the airline could further expand its roster of international flights from Hopkins. He said even if runway 6R/24L is extended, current levels of demand in the Northeast Ohio market likely wouldn’t be enough for Continental to introduce at Hopkins wide-bodied aircraft such as a Boeing 767 or 777. However, Ms. Messing said Continental has seen steady market growth at its Houston and Newark hub operations following the introduction of other international connections, and he’s confident Cleveland could follow that same pattern once the Paris route begins service in 2008.
September 25, 200618 yr Wow, this is truly good new for Cleveland. It seems that with everything going on, 2008 will be a very big year for Cleveland.
September 25, 200618 yr It would seem to me that Hopkins would also need to improve the INS/Customs facility as well.
September 25, 200618 yr WTF, there was an August article in another thread that said they weren't going forward with the runway expansion because the contractors had all overbid on the RFP and the city couldn't cover the costs. I believe the cheapest bid was somewhere around $68 million. Where did this $41 million figure pop-up. Great news, just weird they axed the plan last month and now it's back on track at less than that of the original cost. Also, screw CAL and their statements about CLE not being able to handle more service. They wouldn't be starting the service to CDG if they didn't think they couldn't make money. I bet CAL will be crying foul if Cleveland brokers a deal with Lufthansa and they start bringing an A330 over the pond to serve Frankfurt when the runway gets extended, all because the boys in Houston are 'waiting for the Cleveland biz community to fly their 757 to Paris'. I second ya' on the upgrading of facilites, I think that news might be just around the corner considering the events of the last few weeks.
September 25, 200618 yr WTF, there was an August article in another thread that said they weren't going forward with the runway expansion because the contractors had all overbid on the RFP and the city couldn't cover the costs. I believe the cheapest bid was somewhere around $68 million. Where did this $41 million figure pop-up. Great news, just weird they axed the plan last month and now it's back on track at less than that of the original cost. Also, screw CAL and their statements about CLE not being able to handle more service. They wouldn't be starting the service to CDG if they didn't think they couldn't make money. I bet CAL will be crying foul if Cleveland brokers a deal with Lufthansa and they start bringing an A330 over the pond to serve Frankfurt when the runway gets extended, all because the boys in Houston are 'waiting for the Cleveland biz community to fly their 757 to Paris'. I second ya' on the upgrading of facilites, I think that news might be just around the corner considering the events of the last few weeks. I couldn't have said that better myself. Airtraffic is up at Cleveland and when the employees say that planes are packed/traffic is up. and corporate says another....something is wrong. No matter what "conspiracy theory" you think of. Even though the (continental) 767/757 have close to the same amount of seats its the level of service that improves. The 757 BF experience isn't like the 767/777 BF experience. Although on one hand I like having a smaller BF cabin. More FAs for the smaller 7757 BF cabin. Although coach on a 757 vs. a 767 can feel "tight". Cleveland can't get more international service without upgrading the facility. I still think they should move USAir over to the B concourse (with its partner united) and move NW to B along with Delta. Then build the A concourse north this way it can handle larger aircraft. I think there is only one gate that can handle a 747/777 but not a 767. I can't remember.
September 25, 200618 yr Yeah, I WTF, there was an August article in another thread that said they weren't going forward with the runway expansion because the contractors had all overbid on the RFP and the city couldn't cover the costs. I believe the cheapest bid was somewhere around $68 million. Where did this $41 million figure pop-up. Great news, just weird they axed the plan last month and now it's back on track at less than that of the original cost. Also, screw CAL and their statements about CLE not being able to handle more service. They wouldn't be starting the service to CDG if they didn't think they couldn't make money. I bet CAL will be crying foul if Cleveland brokers a deal with Lufthansa and they start bringing an A330 over the pond to serve Frankfurt when the runway gets extended, all because the boys in Houston are 'waiting for the Cleveland biz community to fly their 757 to Paris'. I second ya' on the upgrading of facilites, I think that news might be just around the corner considering the events of the last few weeks. I couldn't have said that better myself. Airtraffic is up at Cleveland and when the employees say that planes are packed/traffic is up. and corporate says another....something is wrong. No matter what "conspiracy theory" you think of. Even though the (continental) 767/757 have close to the same amount of seats its the level of service that improves. The 757 BF experience isn't like the 767/777 BF experience. Although on one hand I like having a smaller BF cabin. More FAs for the smaller 7757 BF cabin. Although coach on a 757 vs. a 767 can feel "tight". Cleveland can't get more international service without upgrading the facility. I still think they should move USAir over to the B concourse (with its partner united) and move NW to B along with Delta. Then build the A concourse north this way it can handle larger aircraft. I think there is only one gate that can handle a 747/777 but not a 767. I can't remember. Yeah, if there is ever going to be a true 'international concourse', I'd agree and say A is the prime candidate. BWI literally built a small international concourse with about 10 gates or so designed for widebodies about 10 years ago. Even with the expansion...a fair amount of 757's and smaller aircraft fly out of there. No real point in that at this point for Hopkins. I'd say 6 gates capable of 767 service at the end of A...improvement/expansion of Customs facilities..and some sort of space for another airline (or God forbid CAL) to have a 'Presidents Club' type room. You wouldn't break the bank...and since CAL is moving at a glacial pace it would invite other European carriers to seriously think about starting a flight out of Hopkins when the runway expansion is completed. Like I said, with the current run of news, I'm guessing it won't be to long before we hear some type of plan. Hopefully before the end of the year.
September 25, 200618 yr Yeah, I WTF, there was an August article in another thread that said they weren't going forward with the runway expansion because the contractors had all overbid on the RFP and the city couldn't cover the costs. I believe the cheapest bid was somewhere around $68 million. Where did this $41 million figure pop-up. Great news, just weird they axed the plan last month and now it's back on track at less than that of the original cost. Also, screw CAL and their statements about CLE not being able to handle more service. They wouldn't be starting the service to CDG if they didn't think they couldn't make money. I bet CAL will be crying foul if Cleveland brokers a deal with Lufthansa and they start bringing an A330 over the pond to serve Frankfurt when the runway gets extended, all because the boys in Houston are 'waiting for the Cleveland biz community to fly their 757 to Paris'. I second ya' on the upgrading of facilites, I think that news might be just around the corner considering the events of the last few weeks. I couldn't have said that better myself. Airtraffic is up at Cleveland and when the employees say that planes are packed/traffic is up. and corporate says another....something is wrong. No matter what "conspiracy theory" you think of. Even though the (continental) 767/757 have close to the same amount of seats its the level of service that improves. The 757 BF experience isn't like the 767/777 BF experience. Although on one hand I like having a smaller BF cabin. More FAs for the smaller 7757 BF cabin. Although coach on a 757 vs. a 767 can feel "tight". Cleveland can't get more international service without upgrading the facility. I still think they should move USAir over to the B concourse (with its partner united) and move NW to B along with Delta. Then build the A concourse north this way it can handle larger aircraft. I think there is only one gate that can handle a 747/777 but not a 767. I can't remember. Yeah, if there is ever going to be a true 'international concourse', I'd agree and say A is the prime candidate. BWI literally built a small international concourse with about 10 gates or so designed for widebodies about 10 years ago. Even with the expansion...a fair amount of 757's and smaller aircraft fly out of there. No real point in that at this point for Hopkins. I'd say 6 gates capable of 767 service at the end of A...improvement/expansion of Customs facilities..and some sort of space for another airline (or God forbid CAL) to have a 'Presidents Club' type room. You wouldn't break the bank...and since CAL is moving at a glacial pace it would invite other European carriers to seriously think about starting a flight out of Hopkins when the runway expansion is completed. Like I said, with the current run of news, I'm guessing it won't be to long before we hear some type of plan. Hopefully before the end of the year. When I flew from London, I recall there being a Vacant or not well used US Air Club (IIRC, US Air wanted to make club a hub at one point, then went to Pit when Continental & Southwest came in) and an American Airliines Club. In regard to another carrier. I wouldn't mind seeing JetBlue or Alaska enter the Cleveland market. However, with Smith being cozy with Southwest, I speculate that they would be the first to expand. I do remember hearing that they cannot expand in Cleveland becase of space constraints on B and that other airlines arent giving up gates although they don't have a hub in cleveland or are turning around aircraft fast. Something to the effect that they "park" planes at gates to prevent a competitor from getting the space. Although I think the multi gate thing has slowed this at Hopkins I don't think it prevented it.
October 1, 200618 yr A means of selling the new cleveland to the 11M+ people that pass through ever year and also providing a sustainable means of funding for the airport's future. quite fascinating. would be great if someone from UO could get in on the ground floor of this idea. meeting details follow. promo video > http://www.iq-digital.com/airport/ website > http://digitalairport.pbwiki.com/ meeting > via I-Open For 11.3+ million air-travelers passing through Hopkins annually and millions of residents who connect with them, the Cleveland Airport presents an opportunity to showcase cutting-edge technology and present the best of what is current in Northeast Ohio. Join us next week to learn about The Digital Airport Initiative, a Public/Private collaboration working to transform the Cleveland Hopkins Airport into an ultra-high tech communication venue for everything Northeast Ohio. Check out the video here. The Digital Airport Initiative demonstrates how regional economic development should now be done: through collaboration and "strategic doing": Set a clear vision with understandable metrics ("Where are we going?"), connect interests ("Who's on the bus?"), align resources ("Who can contribute what?"), focus on practical next steps ("What's next?"). Learn from this exciting model of "strategic doing" and strengthen your work! Forum Leader: Barbara Siss Oney Date: Tuesday, October 3 Time: 4:30 P.M. - 6:15 P.M. Place: FUTURE: Center for Design and Technology Transfer @ The Cleveland Institute of Art 11610 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106
October 3, 200618 yr If I recall, OneCleveland is one of the partners in the initiative, but a number of big players are working on this. It's too bad this isn't getting more attention; The Digital Airport Initiative is responding to an RFP for advertising throughout the airport. If they are successful, the content would promote the city of Cleveland in a whole new light. If they aren't successful, it's more likely that we'll see traditional advertising for national chains, etc. I think it's really going to come down to whether they can successfully make the case that their project will not only promote Cleveland in a new light but that it can raise similar revenue to traditional advertising contracts for the airport.
October 23, 200618 yr http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-0610210179oct22,0,5589727.story?coll=chi-homepagetravel-hed TRAVEL INSIDER Continental a model for other airlines By Jane Engle Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times Published October 22, 2006 ---------- [email protected] Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune
October 23, 200618 yr - Continental flies nearly everywhere: It's only the fourth largest U.S. airline, and its hubs, well east of the Rockies, aren't glamorous: Houston, Cleveland and Newark, N.J. (American and United each have hubs in Chicago.) Glamorous? C'mon! I grant you Chicago is a great city, but we're talking about airport hubs. Getting from one plane to the next and getting to your final destination. I've got a hunch this guy has only transferred through the hub cities and never really ventured into them at all, if they weren't glamorous enough like Chicago. Next time, pick a better adjective and appreciate the variety of culture and personality in the country, dude. You might find appealing what was once beneath you.
October 23, 200618 yr - Continental flies nearly everywhere: It's only the fourth largest U.S. airline, and its hubs, well east of the Rockies, aren't glamorous: Houston, Cleveland and Newark, N.J. (American and United each have hubs in Chicago.) Glamorous? C'mon! I grant you Chicago is a great city, but we're talking about airport hubs. Getting from one plane to the next and getting to your final destination. I've got a hunch this guy has only transferred through the hub cities and never really ventured into them at all, if they weren't glamorous enough like Chicago. Next time, pick a better adjective and appreciate the variety of culture and personality in the country, dude. You might find appealing what was once beneath you. I suggest you write him. and to me. ORD is not glamourous its a big mess! I hate flying into that place
October 25, 200618 yr Fitch Rates Cleveland, Ohio's 2006 A&B Airport System Revs 'A'; Outlook Stable Tuesday October 24, 4:19 pm ET SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating on the City of Cleveland, Ohio's airport system revenue bonds, series 2006, consisting of the following: $66,755,000 series 2006A (Non-AMT); $12,015,000 series 2006B (Taxable). Both series of bonds are an advance refunding targeted to achieve net present value savings. The series 2006 bonds are expected to price on a negotiated basis led by UBS Investment Bank on Nov. 1. Coinciding with this sale, $149 million of series 2000C variable-rate demand obligations will be converted to a fixed rate from a daily mode, thereby creating variable rate debt capacity. Fitch also assigns an 'A' rating to $947 million outstanding in parity revenue bonds. The Rating Outlook is Stable for all bonds. The City of Cleveland, Ohio's Department of Port Control operates Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Burke Lakefront Airport. Bondholder security is provided by net airport system operating revenues. Fitch's rating reflects the stable service area demographics of the Cleveland metropolitan statistical area (MSA), high origination and destination (O&D) passenger base (75% in FY2005), strong liquidity for an airport with a residual rate-making methodology, stable operating margin and proven ability to generate healthy non-airline revenue levels. Offsetting credit factors include CLE's high cost structure and lower than average utilization levels, market share dominance (61% in fiscal-year 2005) by Continental Airlines (IDR rated 'B-' with a Stable Outlook by Fitch) and connecting traffic levels. The airport system serves Northeast Ohio and the Cleveland MSA with a 2004 population of 2.9 million. Furthermore, the MSA's wealth levels are 110% and 104% of the state and nation, respectively. A strong stable population base is important, as CLE is primarily an O&D airport facility. While overall enplanement levels have stagnated since FY2001, the airport experienced a 17% increase in O&D passenger activity during this time period due to rising demand from the service area and the competitive response of airlines serving the airport to the introduction of low-cost air service at nearby Akron-Canton Regional Airport. However, connecting traffic declined by 37% during the period due to routing decisions made by Continental Airlines, which operates its smallest domestic connecting hub at CLE, following the downturn in passenger traffic in the aftermath of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. **That last statement is rather interesting. Kinda in the "things that make you go 'hmmmm'" category. Anyone know what's going to happen next year to make Hopkins look so great to Fitch? Is this the same reason why old CAL has had a change of heart and is now going forward with international expansion?**
October 25, 200618 yr ^^Let's give credit where credit is due, it has much more to do with Google than anything I searched. BTW, O&D traffic is pax traffic originating from and and departing to Cleveland. When you have 75% percent O&D traffic (and a 17% increase since FY'01)...it shows the CLE airport market is healthy and that even when you look at pax decline at Hopkins between 2001 and 2004...it had much more to do with CAL reducing their connceting schedule vs. the market economics of Cleveland. Fitch's review is very positive. Again, I have no idea what's happening in January....but I gotta believe it's bigger than redoing cab service.
October 25, 200618 yr as a weekly user, I think Continental realizes that Newark is HELL! And with a large O&D (75% is huge, I recall reading somewhere that ATL the worlds busiest airport has something like 45% O&D) traffic, they can utilize cleveland much better. In addition, Continental's share of flyers is shrinking due to so many regional jets on routes that were once served by 737s and routes that have reduced frequencies. I was in the airport this past weekend and there was a huge Continental contengency (it looked/sounded like a focus group) going on as they were evaluating the operations and what space they could use. What I heard was talk about upgrading the International operations (maybe this is what the article was hinting at) and service to Amsterdam, Berlin and Honolulu and making London year-round as well as late night service out of and into the airport. I know one guy was REALLY vocal and asked, why there was not even one non-stop flight to cities like Calgary, Seattle, Portland, St. Lake City, Omaha and some other place, I cant recall . He was like this is Ohio's largest airport and I should be able to get on a plane and go anywhere domestically without having to connect. He was pretty passionate.
October 25, 200618 yr ^^Let's give credit where credit is due, it has much more to do with Google than anything I searched. BTW, O&D traffic is pax traffic originating from and and departing to Cleveland. When you have 75% percent O&D traffic (and a 17% increase since FY'01)...it shows the CLE airport market is healthy and that even when you look at pax decline at Hopkins between 2001 and 2004...it had much more to do with CAL reducing their connceting schedule vs. the market economics of Cleveland. Fitch's review is very positive. Again, I have no idea what's happening in January....but I gotta believe it's bigger than redoing cab service. Yep. Continental basically said fuck cleveland so they could expand in newark.
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