OpenSource Connections
Category: Uncategorized
ABC News posted a story today positing the imminent decline of the small airport. While the article only specifically cites the reduction of flights at the San Luis Obispo airport, it does draw more general conclusions about the impact of reduced airline traffic on regional and municipal airports. A similar report in June prematurely predicted the demise of many airports. prompting at least one airport director to respond directly to the allegations. While reports of the death of the regional and municipal airport may be greatly exaggerated, there is no doubt that airports cannot simply sit back and rely on airlines to do their marketing for them. The presence of planes does not ensure the presence of passengers, and, as my Army buddies are wont to say, its time for airport marketers and directors to lean forward in the foxhole and take charge of their own destinies.
What can airports do? Here are a few suggestions:
- Talk to your constituents. This isnt just the flying public, but everyone whos affected. Airports mean jobs and commerce, so there are more people than just airport/airline employees and fliers who are affected. Tell them what is going on more often, and dont expect them to read the minutes of your board meetings.
- Tell the good stories. There are reasons that people like to fly out of municipal airports, and that message needs reinforcement. As one passenger said, “When you want to make connections…its really important to have a local community airport.”
- Tell the WHOLE story. Its easy to go to an airfare aggregator such as Kayak and look at fares from regional and large airports. Does your airport have shorter security lines? Does it have more convenient parking? Cool art exhibits? Tell the world!
If regional and municipal airports dont do their part to market to the flying public, then they will most certainly lose flights as the cost of oil and consolidation within the airline industry put the squeeze on the smaller players.
Is your airports website telling your story? Does your website, the most commonly seen branding statement of your airport, tell the story you want it to? If not, check out our AeroWeb solution and see if we can help. Contact us to see how we can help you fight back.