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TIA Hangs In There As Seats Dwindle

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By TED JACKOVICS

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 14, 2008

TAMPA - Airline industry woes are giving airports across the nation a shrinking feeling.

At New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, a dozen airlines are stopping service this summer, and remaining carriers have pared schedules.
Orlando International Airport will lose 50,195, outbound seats in November, 14.2 percent compared with a year ago, as airlines contend with high fuel prices and the strained consumer and business economy.
Tampa International Airport also is battling the downturn but has fared better than some airports - it will lose 11.7 percent, or 29,433, of seats come November, Official Airline Guide schedules show. TIA has 63 domestic and seven international nonstop routes, according to the airport.

For the first time since 1997, economic conditions have created heightened pressure to maintain TIA air service while continuing to recruit international and domestic flights, airport director Louis Miller said.

A fresh goal for 2009 will be to protect the number of seats on flights to the airport's busiest destinations by monitoring trends in travel and continuing to work with local businesses and tourist attractions to promote the Bay area as a destination.

The Hillsborough County Aviation Authority is scheduled to review and adopt fiscal 2009 goals at its Sept. 4 monthly meeting. The goals would become effective Oct. 1.

Tampa International plans to generate earnings in excess of $35 million after meeting revenue-sharing and reserve requirements. That compares with the 2008 goal of earnings in excess of $46 million.

The airport will continue planning for a new North Terminal complex expected to open in October 2015, when annual passengers are expected to grow from 19.5 million today to about 25 million.

If passenger trends fall short of expectations, the airport can delay proceeding with major work on the new terminal up to 30 months before a scheduled opening, Miller said. Planning under way now would have to be done regardless of when the new terminal opens, he said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at tjackovics@tampatrib.com or (813) 259-7817.

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