Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Tucson international airport, international no more
In another "sign of the times", Tucson international airport is about to lose its last remaining scheduled international flight. Aeromexico had been flying the Tucson - Hermosillo route since the 80's, making the trip 4 times a week.
The irony of the situation is that the final international flight will depart the same day the new Tucson international terminal is scheduled to open.
What the loss of this sole international flight means for the airport is unknown, but it is just another episode leading to what the WSJ Journal calls "terminal illness".
Many smaller airports around the country are losing flights, and some carriers are abandoning smaller regional airports completely.
When your airport relies on a handful of flight operations each day, the loss of just a couple of them could be catastrophic. Airports have pumped Billions into terminal renovations in recent years, and some airports have even resorted to paying departing passengers cash incentives to pick their location over more popular airports.
The combination of a poor economy, high fuel prices (for the airlines) and a general decline in air travel will probably mean we'll see more airports close parts of their terminal buildings while they wait for things to pick up again, or for new carriers to give them a chance. What this means to us, is that those living in smaller towns may have to make an extra connection, or drive to a different airport. Either way, it's all pretty depressing.
Enter to win free tickets to Amsterdam from Gadling!
Why are these the world's best airports?
Click the image to find out!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tina Oct 10th 2008 7:29AM
Tina, I have used this airport a bunch of times, and ive never liked it. Service has always been really bad.
Greetz Tina - http://www.torrentfly.org
Matthew Oct 11th 2008 9:55PM
I just flew in and out of TIA and it was a very pleasant experience. Easy to find gates and lots of food around.
Ellen Hilburn Oct 11th 2008 2:26PM
Wow, this is sad. When I've flown into AZ it's always been Phoenix. I guess, short of Mexico most international flights will depart Phoenix. I hate to hear of the airline woes. Planes offer us the freedom of escape and now the possibilities dwindle as the romance as been drained from the veins of that limping industry. I feel sorry for all the airlines trying to stay "above ground". I stand fully behind them and try to spread my flights amongst them, not just flying one to build up a miles porfolio. Sorry to hear about the Tucson airport :-(
john Oct 11th 2008 7:35PM
Your information is wrong; perhaps Tucson will not handle International flights, but that is not what makes an International Airport. US Customs will still be stationed on the airport. This is what makes an International Airport, according to the FAA.
Please research and then correct your statement.
bikefolder Oct 11th 2008 6:34PM
I don't think the article ever said they were taking the title "International" away from the airport's designation. It's about the irony of there no longer being any international passenger service. They may still process international cargo flights - which would mean they'd still need customs service. Businesses might have an interest in seeing if they'd be willing to offer better gate lease terms now that they've lost the last passenger flight. Could be cheaper than going through Sky Harbor or John Wayne and would keep Tuscon viable until the economic dust settles. We have to fight to keep choice alive, or we'll see a 5-hub nation eventually. No one will be able to get where they're going without starting or laying over at a hub city. Prices will be astronomical because we won't be able to take our ticket fares elsewhere.
Tambocha Oct 12th 2008 1:51PM
That's a bummer. I've taken that TUS-HMO flight several times. Aerocalifornia used to do it too. It's a shame because that flight made connections in HMO and Obregón easy. Now you'll have to fly to, and put up with, LAX, PHX, Vegas or some other huge airport to make your connection. I guess it's already that way for some destinations in Mexico, but it was nice having TUS-HMO flights. Not only for connecting but for when you didn't feel like driving down.
teltech54 Oct 11th 2008 9:26PM
Unless you fly across the ocean it isn't really international anyway.
Frank Oct 11th 2008 5:08PM
I live in the Albany, NY area and the local airport here is called the "Albany International Airport". I think it got this designation because of the one guy who probably flys his Cessna to Montreal once a month...
R. Baker Oct 11th 2008 5:14PM
Read the article about Tulsa losing it's international title from the airport. I have lived in Myrtle Beach for 14 years and they have no international flights direct from Myrtle Beach and haven"t for several years. How do the get to keep "Myrtle Beach International " in all their release's, web site ,etc. I though you had to have a direct flight overseas to a country other then Us to be international?
Alex Oct 11th 2008 11:08PM
International just means the airport has the capability to process customs... sometimes only with 24 hours notice. It does not mean that it has, or that it ever had, any international flights.
SAmaya Oct 11th 2008 5:55PM
I live in the New Orleans, LA area and the local airport here is called the "Louis Armstrong International Airport". You cannot fly from here to anywhere else outside the U.S. without having to catch a connecting flight in another city. I think this designation should be removed.
bouncer827 Oct 11th 2008 6:09PM
No worse than its neighbor 120 miles to the North.
Sky Harbor International Airport.....gimme a break.
alavan Oct 11th 2008 6:12PM
Funny - I've lived in Tucson, Albany, and now New Orleans (Kenner) and I've never flown "international" from any of the three airports (but often between the three).
I like the Tucson airport (much better than Phoenix) - small and easy to get through.
george mccollum Oct 11th 2008 7:57PM
I have use TIA only once, ..... it was better then Phoenix, San Diego, LA, San Fransisco, Sac, Portland, Dallas, .... and certainly better then Denver !
Tambocha Oct 12th 2008 1:56PM
Tucson is one of the most user-friendly airports I know of. On-airport parking is still reasonably priced and off-airport parking with shuttle runs between $3.25-4.50/day, which is as it should be, since you're just parking a car... The only step backward for TUS is that they got rid of the branch of El Charro in the upstairs lounge area and put in a more generic airport restaurant. They also had an El Charro express downstairs, which is also gone now. What replaced it is far more generic and bland. El Charro was nice because it's a local favorite in Tucson. The local angle at the airport was nice.