yankee_farmer

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the specific "no" votes? Those for voted for the Bill are from both parties, and it has already been mentioned that geography was not completely a factor, either.

Perhaps, but I don't know if there is enough of a market to justify NOT making the drive (eventually, a train ride) to GR. I doubt fares going out of Lansing will be competitive with GRR going forward. . .

I agree with all posters that the focus should not be on putting other cities down, but there must also be a realization that regionalization (hopefully) will only bring lower costs. Obviously, if all Western Michigan airports are losing passengers to Chicago and Detroit, lower costs from a Western Michigan airport will beat traveling 3+ hours for cheaper fares. MJLO, you can't convince me that what K-zoo, GR, and other Michigan cities are suffering from is a lack of land, and small civic boundaries. I grew up in the Boston area, and I don't believe that growth has anything to do with area. If anything, the ability to expand into "country" areas has hurt cities in Michigan more than anything, but I digress (that could be voiced in another thread). You make a good point that K-zoo has higher passenger volume than many other airports in the US, but, I ask you, how many of those other airports have very strong regional competition less than an hour away? The point here is that the Grand Rapids airport has taken the steps, by building a large parking garage and luring a low cost carrier, to increase competition, which will hopefully lower prices. The long term impacts of this on other airports remains to be seen, but if the cities of this part of the state start to think regionally, everyone will likely benefit in the long term.

I may be in the minority on this one, but I tend to think that with pressure to reduce operating costs, airlines will be consolidating regional airports that are in close geographic proximity. Thus, within the next 5 years, I wouldn't be surprised to see carriers consolidate even further in Western Michigan. I would assume that Muskegon and/or K-zoo would probably not last through a consolidation. I've held this belief for quite a while, and I think that the Parking Garage project at GRR only solidifies Grand Rapids' position in the market.

I don't see that happening. Primarily because Northwest seems to have a cornered market @ GRR, and Allegient will only serve a certain group of customers with a limited destination list. Even with the addition of Allegient, NWA still has to feel comfortable in terms of being pretty much the go-to airline for many business travelers out of GRR. With increased regionalization (does anyone really think K-zoo and Muskegon can compete with GRR?) in the future, I would think there will probably be a big enough pie for everyone to have a slice. However, if Southwest were to ever come to GR, with service to Midway and an east coast city, NWA would have to take action.

I think we are going to start to see more of these deals moving forward, as the airport management has to do something to increase passenger numbers. I think the opening of the parking garage will greatly enhance efforts to lure a 2nd low cost carrier to GRR.

Providence, RI is certainly not even in the same ballpark as Grand Rapids in terms of airport size, market etc. I am from the Providence area, and I can tell you that while GRR has potential to be the size of the TF Green airport, any comparison between the two airports ends there.