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Southwest scaling back flights to McCarran
Page Last Updated: Thursday July 29, 2010 6:55am PDT
Just as our local economy tries to get off the ground, Las Vegas is about to lose more flights at McCarran Airport.
Wednesday, Southwest Airlines announced it is scaling back and, in some cases, completely eliminating multiple routes.
Although this isn’t a positive sign for our local economy, it may not be quite as bad as it sounds.
Airlines routinely make seasonal adjustments to their flight schedules. The only problem this time is that these adjustments are affecting Las Vegas more than any other city served by Southwest.
Until the recession hit, airlines were scrambling to add more fights to our city.
But earlier this year, US Airways cut more than 40 percent of its business at McCarran. And Southwest Airlines, by far the busiest carrier at McCarran, is now in retreat mode as well.
Beginning this fall, all non-stop service to Long Island and Norfolk will be dropped. In addition, ten other flights will be dropped or operation will be seasonal reduced.
This summer we’re finding that a high percentage of travelers coming to Las Vegas made the economic decision to drive rather than fly.
"Loading everybody in a plane would be expensive,” says one tourist. “It’s cheaper to drive."
And those who are still frequent fliers are operating with less frequency.
Steve Crupi: Have you adjusted your travel budget?
“Yeah, I don't travel near as much as I'd like to.”
The only airline that has seen consistent growth with regard to its flights out of McCarran is Allegiant Airlines.
While Las Vegas is losing flights for the fall and winter season, Florida is gaining; Southwest added 44 additional flights to and from various Florida destinations.
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POPOG P.
July 29, 2010 7:36am PDT
Mark as Offensive
Southwest is scaling back because they are not going to buy more aircraft and there now serve more cities than before. I pretty sure there are more profitable routes and business is picking up at their new destinations like, Milwaukee, Panama City, and Logan (Boston). Southwest does these readjustment from time to time.