Larry Dighera wrote:
On Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:04:29 -0500, "Gig 601XL Builder"
wrDOTgiaconaATsuddenlink.net wrote in
:


Charge the airlines and anyone else using the overcrowded airports a
premium when they operate at peak times. Let's face it if the ticket
rate is the same if you fly out a 3am or 8am you are generally going
to choose 8am.

It is a simple supply and demand problem. That runway is more
valuable at certain times during the day. They ought to charge more
to use it then.


That makes sense to me. However, who has the authority to implement
it? The FAA? The airport owners? Do you think there might be a
backlash from the flying public?

What if ATC started diverting flights to reliever airports during peak
hours at hubs? Isn't that the reason relievers exist?

Who sets landing fees now? But to do it on a nation-wide basis the answer is
Congress. Well, if done correctly there shouldn't be a net gain in income to
the airport. The price of peak time flight would go up and the off peak
would go down. If a $10/seat swing doesn't do it naturally you increase the
cost until it does. I'd bet that the airline have enough data in their
systems right now to tell you pretty damn close where the swing amount will
be.

If there is no net cost to the airline to do it they should like the idea.
They would save enough in unscheduled holds and delays that they could foot
the cost for implementation and still increase profits.

Those that it would cost are those that need to get to a certain place at a
certain time. They are also the same people that the VLJ-Taxi services are
aimed at so cost isn't the prime mover there.

Joe and Sue vacation taker will like it because while they have to be at the
airport a 3:00 in the morning they are going to be paying less and have a
smaller crowd to deal with at the airport. The fact that they will do what
is needed to get a lower fare has been proven by things like PriceLine where
you don't even know when, other than a 24 hour period, you are going to fly.