CWT - Regional

Regional

Repaved runway reopens in Atlanta
On November 7, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport reopened a runway it had closed for a two month repaving project. The $91.5 million project caused significant flight delays while in progress, but should now save airlines $5 million a week by enabling the airport to handle 100 landings and takeoffs each hour on the airport’s five parallel runways.

Hartsfield-Jackson and its major carriers experienced a decrease in on-time arrivals while the runway was being paved. The airport’s general manager predicts delays will be reduced by half now that the project is completed.

Sources: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ATA SmartBrief

Continental to offer free wi-fi at Logan frequent-flier club

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled November 1 to allow Continental Airlines to offer free wireless Internet access in its Logan International Airport frequent flier club. The ruling was a loss for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which has attempted to prevent airlines from offering wireless service so travelers would be required to pay for the airport’s $8 USD-a-day service.

Following the FCC ruling, other airlines plan to explore the possibility of offering free wireless Internet in their frequent flier club lounges at Logan. First on that list will likely be American Airlines, who offered free wireless in its lounge at Logan until the Port Authority ordered that it be shut down.

Sources: Boston Globe, Washington Post

Temporary lounges open at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport has opened two temporary lounges – one to serve first-class travelers, the other to serve business-class travelers – in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The first-class lounge is on the mezzanine level, while the business-class lounge is in a separate building accessible by shuttle bus. Both facilities replace 16 airline lounges now closed as part of the airport’s $576 million USD renovation, scheduled for completion in 2010.

By the end of May 2007 the airport will open four new lounges covering 47,000 square feet – 72 percent larger than the closed lounges – three of which will be dedicated for fliers of airlines in the major marketing alliances of OneWorld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance. The fourth will serve customers of other airlines.

In the interim, the lounges offer the same amenities savvy travelers demand, including wireless Internet, food and drink, and comfortable chairs.

Sources: USA TODAY, Los Angeles Times

CWT Traveler

Regional

Repaved runway reopens in Atlanta

Continental to offer free wi-fi at Logan frequent-flier club

Temporary lounges open at LAX