Airlines Hit an "Eddie" in Northeast

NEWS Jetblue announced that it cancelled 23% of its February 17 and 18 flights, due to a snowstorm on Wednesday (AP). The snowstorm forced JetBlue to cancel and delay some of its flights since the storm. According to some FlightAware data, JetBlue leased planes from other companies to get people where they want to go.

JetBlue cancelled service to Richmond, VA; Pittsburgh, PA; Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, NC; Jacksonville, FL; Austin and Houston, TX; Bermuda; Columbus, OH; Nashville, TN and Portland, ME (JetBlue)

Delta and American Airlines also reported hardships, with flights still being cancelled as a result of the storm. All three airlines (Delta, JetBlue and American) have hub operations in New York and suffered greatly because of the storm. Cincinnati's Enquirer reports two-thirds of Cincinnati's flights were cancelled by Delta on Tuesday, February 13. American Airlines, which has the biggest presence at Kennedy International Airport, said they expected to cancel as many as 40 flights in New York area, AMT reports. Continental Airlines had delays and two cancelled flights at its Newark hub.

OPINION Weather causes delays almost everywhere. It is proven through traffic jams, airport delays, public transportation troubles and so on. The general media is hitting JetBlue hard, mostly (probably) because hundreds of people were stuck on airplanes for hours; some as much as eight hours. I cannot say that this is JetBlue's fault and I cannot say it's not. It was the airline's decision to keep people in the planes, but they based the decision on what the Air Traffic Control was telling them. The airline is run pretty good (same goes for some major carriers too), in my opinion. However, as with anyone, bad days happen, no matter how hard you try not to let them get to you.

Airlines will live through this and it will happen again next year, regrettably.


UPDATE In an interview with David Neeleman, founder and CEO of JetBlue, the New York Times (registration required) reported that the company will set up a system where JetBlue's penalties would be more severe than anything Congress can do. Mr. Neeleman was referring to a 'Bill of Rights for Passengers,' being considered by the U.S. legislature. The introduction of such a bill, which may require airlines to release passengers, if those choose to want to leave, after a certain time on the tarmac. Mr. Neeleman promised a different company after the changes, which he will announce on Tuesday.

JetBlue's delays, Gordon Bethune (former CEO of Continental Airlines) said, were a result of fast growth.

Relieving Congestion in New York

(Image from SHoP Architects and New York Magazine)

An article in the New York Magazine wrote how SHoP Architects came up with an idea of completely rebuilding Kennedy International Airport to facilitate a sort of a "moving terminal" environment, where the current definition of terminals, where flyers go to check in, wait for the flight and then fly, is eliminated. Instead, the flyers would board shuttle trains at stations throughout four boroughs (the plan excludes the Bronx) and go directly to their gate. While on the shuttle trains, flyers can check in their baggage, grab a few drinks, go online, since the plan will incorporate some of the latest technologies into the train.

The plan also calls for the reconstruction of the entire airport, encasing it in an environmentally-friendly "garage," which would generate electric power and protect the airplanes from the weather while they are parked at their gate. The plan is not considered by PANYNJ, the agency which controls New York-area airports, but is a suggestion made upon a request by the magazine. (New York Magazine)

The FAA, however, has a more realistic view, according to an article in the New York Times (registration required). The agency has concluded studying and is expected to make a decision soon about rerouting airplane paths coming into not only New York-area airports, but also changing paths of airplanes coming into smaller airports ranging from Delaware to Connecticut.

The agency has four plans in the works: "Modifying existing air space, routing air traffic over the ocean, making additional airspace available for air traffic controllers, or taking no action at all." (New York Times)

JetBlue Will Revive Old TWA Terminal

Picture from http://www.designbuild-network.com/projects/jetblue/

THE NEWS

JetBlue plans to revive the old TWA terminal (Terminal 5) at Kennedy airport for $875 million. The new terminal would handle up to 210 flights and will serve as an international gateway for the airline since the current JetBlue terminal, Terminal 6, doesn't have customs facilities. The terminal plan is a cooperation between Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), who own airports in New York City's metropolitan area, JetBlue and preservationists.

The Port Authority wants to expand JFK, but Eero Saarinen's had a landmark status and thus couldn't be demolished. The new plan calls for JetBlue's terminal to be built behind the landmark so it wouldn't spoil the view. The new terminal, however, would not be as elaborate and stylish as TWA's terminal. In an interview with BusinessWeek, Richard Smyth said that the design will be very straightforward and there will be nothing sexy about it.


THE OPINION

The problem lies with connecting the structure to the rest of the airport. While AirTrain serves much of the JFK facilities, its Terminal 5/6 stop is much closer to Terminal 6 than 5. It will be a hell of a walk between the two terminals. Also, one has to wonder about its uses: will JetBlue stay in two terminals or just one? Is there enough capacity for JetBlue, American and Delta? All three have hubs at JFK, but only Delta's and JetBlue are growing at a more rapid rate than American, which is the dominant carrier at the airport.

Also, JetBlue has some financial troubles, which are not a major concern, but a concern nevertheless. A declining profit margin, curtailing growth - these may be the signs of a dying carrier. Or some would think so. Ever since its start in the Millennium, JetBlue has captured the hearts and minds of New Yorkers. It has turned into an even more official airline than Continental, partly because it's actually in New York City. As any other business, JetBlue has to grow, so the expanded terminal should serve JetBlue nicely.