San Diego International Airport, or Lindbergh Field, is a vital component of the Peninsula area and the San Diego community as a whole. The issues surrounding Lindbergh Field and its potential growth demand attention and responsible discussion.
To disseminate airport information on a regular basis, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and the Peninsula Beacon have partnered to publish this ongoing monthly column.
Following this introductory column by the Airport Authority, we invite readers to submit airport-related questions directly to Beacon editor Kevin McKay at [email protected]. Questions and concerns will then be forwarded to and addressed by the Airport Authority in an effort to stimulate one-on-one conversations with the community.
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The aviation industry is currently facing unprecedented change due to exponential increases in fuel costs and a national economic downturn. This will dramatically impact air service nationwide, with availability of passenger seats for U.S. travelers projected to be down approximately 8 percent in October of 2008 compared with those of last year.
Fortunately, despite shocks to the aviation industry such as oil crises, wars, 9/11 and the Lockerbie aircraft incident, U.S. passenger growth has rebounded and historically has proven to show an upward trend. The same can be said for San Diego International Airport (SDIA).
Come October, SDIA is expected to fare better than most other airports in the Southwestern United States (see table above). Availability of passenger seats on arrivals and departures at Lindbergh Field this fall is projected to decrease by 8.6 percent, which is a much smaller reduction in seats than at other regional airports. The presence of Southwest Airlines at SDIA is a major factor for Lindbergh Field faring better than other airports. Southwest Airlines is SDIA’s largest low-cost carrier. It has not had to reduce air service due in part to its strategic purchase of fuel at a set rate in advance of skyrocketing fuel costs. In addition, San Diego’s regional economy is diverse and has historically better withstood trying economic times.
The airline industry is presently in an adaptive mode (above percentages) “” trying to reach a supply and demand balance in a volatile environment. The Airport Authority is ever mindful of this challenging environment and is taking steps to ensure air service continues safely and smoothly for the traveling public
For more information go to www.sanplan.com.