Richmond International Airport

[HopHead]

Yea, I will say I got a little teary eyed when I read that burt had passed too. Always enjoyed reading his posts on my former stomping grounds. You could tell he took such great pride and joy in it too, which was unfounded by most members here. UP truly lost a great member this week. If there's an Urban Planet high in the sky, I'm sure he's already posting about Richmond restaurants. He will be sorely missed around here.

[joanpone]

I knew Burt many years ago in Richmond and reconnected with him here in NYC. I considered him a great friend. I will certainly share your wonderful comments with his family. I'm sure there will be an obituary in the Richmond Times Dispatch.

 

Burt loved these forums. He would be so pleased at your kind words and respect for his devotion to sharing info on Richmond.

[eandslee]

Southwest is finally coming to RIC on 3 November 2013 with non-stop service to Orlando.  I wonder if there will be any expanded service.  For that to be the only route thus far is a bit lackluster.  Hopefully, announcements of expanding service will come out between now and November.  No article yet.  I got the news from Facebook - I'm a friend of RIC.

[Shakman]

Southwest is finally coming to RIC on 3 November 2013 with non-stop service to Orlando.  I wonder if there will be any expanded service.  For that to be the only route thus far is a bit lackluster.  Hopefully, announcements of expanding service will come out between now and November.  No article yet.  I got the news from Facebook - I'm a friend of RIC.

Indeed they are.  This article is from the Dallas Morning News blog:

http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/southwest-airlines-to-begin-service-to-richmond-memphis-and-pensacola-on-nov-3.html/

 

 

According to NBC12:

http://www.nbc12.com/story/16565766/southwest-commits-to-ric

Edited May 7, 2013 by Shakman

[Oaktowntwinz]

Agree with eandslee that the announcement is a bit underwhelming.  According to the Dallas blog, Richmond is a phased conversion.  Its interesting that they are retaining the Atlanta flights with Airtran.  Also, Airtran is adding new cities to Atlanta, including Norfolk and Louisville.  Perhaps Southwest is rethinking Atlanta's role and creating a hub there after all.  I'm sure Southwest will be expanding in Richmond.  Mike Boyd, a highly regarded consultant, previously stated Richmond is an untapped market with huge potential and Southwest will grow there.  Time will tell.

[eandslee]

...and another article/announcement from the RIC webpage:

 

http://www.flyrichmond.com/index.php/news/article/southwest-announces-new-service-for-richmond

[eandslee]

Richmond International Airport ranked #2 among North American airports with less than 15 million annual passengers!

 

http://news.ubc.ca/2013/07/30/global-study-ranks-worlds-most-efficient-airports/

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

^That's really good!!

Edited August 2, 2013 by RVA-Is-The-Best

[eandslee]

Awesome news coming from the airport today!  I'm so looking forward to the airport landing a huge tenant where the old Air National Guard facility was!  Hopefully, it happens soon!

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/economy/expansion-at-ric-to-create-jobs/article_2111faf5-017f-541c-8ab0-c6b77613e710.html

[eandslee]

Could RIC get direct flights to cities in the west soon?  Looks like it, and here's how it will happen:

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/economy/richmond-airport-receives-federal-grant-to-spur-airline-service-to/article_902be156-c5a8-54f4-872e-7f0d80e109e7.html

[jbjust]

That would be a great development, since currently 2:30 p.m. is pretty much the latest you can take off from the West Coast and get back to Richmond the same night.

[RVA-Is-The-Best]

I suspect the airport overall would want to make some kind of preparation plan for UCI 2015 and all the growth of the area beyond.

[jbjust]

Now we have direct Delta flights to Boston! 

 

http://boardingarea.com/pointsmilesandmartinis/2013/11/delta-expands-boston-service/

 

 

Hopefully this won't drive Jet Blue out of that market as well.

[eandslee]

Now we have direct Delta flights to Boston! 

 

http://boardingarea.com/pointsmilesandmartinis/2013/11/delta-expands-boston-service/

 

 

Hopefully this won't drive Jet Blue out of that market as well.

 

Actually, this is a good thing as it offers competition against JetBlue (they had the Richmond to Boston monopoly before this announcement).  So, let the price wars begin on flights between Richmond and Boston on Delta and JetBlue!

[jbjust]

I'm pretty sure there are direct USAirways flights to/from Boston on weekdays at the same frequency as JetBlue.  I don't think USAirways had weekend non-stops. 

[Richmonopoly]

I flew Southwest this weekend, from Richmond to Orlando and back. The customer service, from my experience, was very nice. The people were friendly, the attendants made jokes, and there was no bag fee. Plus, complimentary peanuts! When was the last time I was offered THAT on a plane!

I am glad that Southwest is in town.

[eandslee]

How was the passenger load?  Full plane?

[Oaktowntwinz]

I also flew Southwest on Saturday, Richmond to Orlando to Oakland. The flight was fairly full. I was surprised at how many people on that flight continued to Oakland.

[eandslee]

Well, that just means that we need direct flights to the west.  This connection thing for Richmond should be a thing of the past!  We're big enough to deserve direct flights to the west!  Hopefully, Southwest will add them soon.  Thanks for the report!

[Richmonopoly]

The flight to Orlando was full. The flight returning was maybe 2/3 full. Huge plane? Does anyone know what type of plane they are flying in and out?

[jbjust]

They're flying 737-300's on the direct flight to Orlando.  I think they relied heavily on that plane pre-AirTran merger given the cost savings of just having one type of plane to stock parts for and repair. 

[jbjust]

Hard to overstate the importance of this.  I'm a United 1K and am seriously considering switching to AA once they get everything shaken out.

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/economy/american-to-start-flying-to-laguardia-on-april-st/article_8c343aec-264e-55d2-a056-9a4a557aa35f.html

[Icetera]

"RIC has plans for a new $30 million taxiway, a $12 million snow removal building and a new $20 million road that will run through the airport, connecting Williamsburg and Beulah roads. The projects are in the design phase and will be open for bidding in the next 90 days."

 

 

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2014/02/17/airport-construction-ready-to-take-off/

[eandslee]

In case you missed it, this is very good news!  Hope that the planes fill!  We'll actually have an AeroMexico Plane flying in and out of Richmond!  Cool!

http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/tour-operator-to-provide-air-service-to-bahamas-and-mexico/article_f093fb0a-b111-11e3-a8c3-001a4bcf6878.html

[eandslee]

This is VERY encouraging news for RIC!  I hope the trend continues, which might catch the eye of air carriers to either expand service and/or add destination to points (direct flights) in the west:

 

http://www.timesdispatch.com/business/transportation/strong-air-passenger-traffic-growth-in-richmond-during-july/article_7064a84c-2d32-11e4-87d2-0017a43b2370.html