Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

US carriers gain access to their strongholds through new Washington National slot allocation

Four US carriers have won rights to launch flights from slot-controlled Washington Reagan National Airport to serve markets where they are dominant or have a strong presence. Southwest Airlines and Virgin America are gaining access to National for the first time, while JetBlue will expand its blossoming presence at the airport. The new services should usher in some fare rationalisation in those markets as the carriers seek to challenge United’s dominance in the Washington market from its hub at Dulles International Airport, which is about 56km from National.

US lawmakers in the latest FAA Reauthorisation bill signed into law earlier this year included a provision freeing up four outside perimeter (beyond 2,011km) slot pairs for new entrant or limited incumbent carriers at National, which is located only about 6km from the US capitol. Carriers already having an ability to operate flights outside the perimeter were also allowed to trade in a single pair of inside perimeter slots for new outside perimeter service. A slot pair consists of one take-off and one landing slot.

World airports report encouraging 1Q2010 traffic trends, though volcano effect expected in April

Worldwide passenger traffic rose by 7.6% in Mar-2010 year-on-year and by 6.1% for the first quarter, according to the latest figures from Airports Council International (ACI). The freight resurgence continued, with a 25.6% rise in total volumes in Mar-2010, led by a 32.4% surge in international freight, while domestic volumes rose 14.6%.