Sky Talk

DFW Airport will raise parking rates in October

With fewer people using Dallas-Fort Worth Airport's parking lots, the airport has decided to raise parking rates starting in October.

The airport's board, which met on Friday to approve the fiscal year 2010 operating budget, agreed to boost some parking rates from $1 to $3 depending on the type of parking.

The board also approved a fifty-cent increase in taxicab, limousine, bus and courtesy vehicle access charges.

The parking fee changes include:

-Terminal 2 to 3 hours increasing to $4, up from $3

-Terminal 3 to 6 hours increasing to $6, up from $5

-Expressed Covered increasing to $12, up from $11.

-Remote Parking increasing to $8, up from $7

-Eliminating Infield parking, which was $14 and charging the same $17 rate as Terminal Covered Parking.

The remaining parking rates, such as the $2 pass-thru rate, were unchanged.

-Andrea Ahles

D/FW airport unveils new people mover bus

It may be one of the hottest days of the summer but D/FW airport officials are thinking about what to do in the event a snowstorm.

The airport unveiled its new $530,000 COBUS airport people mover bus that can transport up to 112 passengers from an aircraft and will be used primarily for "irregular operations" such as deplaning an aircraft with mechanical issues, emergency response situations and ice, snow or thunderstorms.

"With its six extra-large doors, a low boarding step and a flat floor, this people mover will be very efficient at loading and unloading passengers in a safe and timely manner," said Erwin Zimmermann, vice president of sales for COBUS Industries.

Airport officials say the new bus will limit the time passengers will need to spend on a stranded aircraft.

Here's what it looks like. Do you think this was airport money will spent?

 

 

D/FW officials take Madrid

We had a chance to talk this morning with Jeff Fegan and Joe Lopano from D/FW Airport from Madrid, where they're participating in a trade mission tied to the new nonstop American Airlines route between the cities. Fegan said they attended a business summit that drew 75 Spanish business representatives, who met with the 35 North Texans on the trip.

"There are already lots of connections between the business communities in Madrid and North Texas," Fegan said. "And the new service is going to help that even more."

He said the first flight, which departed on Friday, was full, and that American is seeing heavy passenger loads already.

- Trebor Banstetter

D/FW pitching in on fire control

Emergency crews from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport have been helping out with the wildfires in the area. According to airport officials, a D/FW fire truck with four personnel assisted the city of Jacksboro to cover an area with a radius of about 10 miles around the city.

"D/FW supports its neighbors in mutual aid calls like the one today throughout the year," said spokesman Brian Murnahan.

- Trebor Banstetter

American to D/FW: We like you, we really like you

American Airlines nominated Dallas/Fort Worth Airport for an International Air Transport Association "Eagle Award," which recognizes quality service and value for money to airline customers.

American, which operates its biggest hub at D/FW, noted the airport's new Terminal D and Skylink train as well as its budget management during the economic downturn. "This is quite an honor," said Jeff Fegan, D/FW's CEO, at a meeting of board members Tuesday. D/FW previously won the award in 1999.

At the same meeting, airport officials said they will likely stick with plans to increase airline landing fees by nearly 11 percent during the second half of the fiscal year, in order to balance their budget amid a $20 million drop in revenues.

- Trebor Banstetter

AA to fly to six new cities from D/FW

American Airlines is launching nonstop service to six new cities from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, bucking a trend as the airline industry contracts nationwide. All of the new cities will be served on small regional jets operated by American Eagle, the airline's regional subsidiary.

The new cities are Santa Fe, N.M.; Tallahassee, Fla.; Montgomery, Ala.; Brownsville, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Manhattan, Kan. The flights will begin in June 11, except for Manhattan, Kan., which launches on Aug. 25. "Connecting Dallas/Fort Worth to small and medium-sized cities is one of Eagle's key missions," said Peter Bowler, Eagle's chief executive.

Most major airlines, including American, have been reducing their schedules and cutting flights as the turgid economy slows demand for travel. But the new Eagle flights will pump more passengers into American's hub at D/FW, making it easier for the airline to fill flights to large cities like New York and Los Angeles, as well as international destinations.

Shares of AMR Corp., American's Fort Worth-based parent company (ticker: AMR), rose 27 cents in trading Monday to close at $3.17 per share.

- Trebor Banstetter

Cheap parking at D/FW

The Parking Spot, an off-site airport parking facility, has a 25 percent off "Spring Break" sale going on that runs through April 30. For those of us who are cutting our travel budgets, its a good way to save a few bucks on that trip.

More info on the sale is available here.

- Trebor Banstetter

New nonstop from D/FW to Branson

Sun Country airlines is announcing new nonstop service from Dallas/Fort Worth to entertainment destination Branson, Mo. The city, which hosts scores of music and entertainment venues, is home to the nation's first privately built and funded commercial airport.

Three destinations have already been unveiled - Atlanta and Milwaukee on AirTran, and Minneapolis/St. Paul on Sun Country. D/FW will be the fourth.

- Trebor Banstetter

American dropping Love Field service, for now

American Airlines is suspending its service at Dallas Love Field airport, but vowed to return in the future.
American offers just one destination from Love - a flight to Chicago operated by American Eagle, the carrier's regional affiliate. That service will end on June 11, airline officials said.

- Trebor Banstetter

D/FW wins best airport in the Americas

D/FW Airport was lauded at the "Routes Americas" airport and airline conference last week, winning best airport in North America as well as for the entire Americas region, which also included South America and the Caribbean.

The airport will now compete with Routes winners in Europe, Asia and Africa. Airport spokesman Ken Capps told me that "customer service, Terminal D and Skylink all continue to pay dividends" for D/FW.

- Trebor Banstetter