Airlines are cutting services worldwide

Chico, California, is another community without commercial air service.

'FLY ME TO ... SOMEWHERE…' …if there is an airline to take me there! But more often than not there is no airline available to take you to where you want to go.

The insult that Air New Zealand gave to Whanganui when they cut their service to our community (thank you Air Chathams) is being compounded worldwide as airlines post big profits and small communities lose service.

In the US smaller communities (but generally larger than our fair city) have lost regular commercial air service and continue to do so — Athens, Georgia; Chico, California; Gary, Indiana; Grand Rapids, Minnesota; Kingman, Arizona; Visalia, California; Reading, Pennsylvania; and a host of others.

Chico, California, is typical of more than 20 communities that have lost commercial service in the last four years alone. This is a city known for manufacturing aftermarket fuel tanks for pickup trucks, which means employees must make regular trips from this quiet university town with a population of 92,000 to meet with clients and potential business partners. Company representatives have to drive as much as four hours to catch a flight out of Sacramento to meet clients from Ford, Nissan and other carmakers.
At 91 other small airports nationwide, the number of departures has been cut by at least half in the same period including Yuma in Arizona, Barnstable in Hyannis and Branson in Missouri.

The closures grew out of lessons learned by the airline industry during tough financial years. They began merging and tightening operations which led to reducing or eliminating service to many small communities that relied on the turboprop planes carrying as few as 50 passengers. Instead, airlines have invested in the more profitable strategy of adding big planes, packed with cramped seats, to routes connecting big-city airports. Such route decisions have played a major role in US airlines' run of near-record profits, as have increasing travel demand, low fuel prices and strong revenue from passenger fees for checked luggage, food, drinks and entertainment. Naturally the industry representatives have repeatedly denied any collusion to reduce flights and boost prices. Instead they counter with the argument that a factor in service reductions is a nation-wide pilot shortage.

This has also occurred internationally and last year airlines flew fuller than ever before with an average of more than four out of five seats occupied. The average load factor was 81.4 per cent worldwide, a record that represented a 0.9 per cent gain from the previous year, according to IATA, a trade group representing 280 airlines. Airline load factors were — Africa at 72.1 per cent; Asia Pacific at 81.1 per cent; Europe at 81.5 per cent; and North America at 82.7 per cent.

The routes that airlines fly have also been questioned by frequent flyers who ask why a possible four-hour flight may take up to five or more hours. According to interviews with flight captains, the following information was obtained.
1. Often there is preferred routing provided by air-traffic control to help smooth traffic flow. Otherwise, the most efficient route, taking into account winds and turbulence forecasts, is filed.
2. Flight plan routing is chosen for the minimum flight time while avoiding bad weather and restricted airspace.
3. Airline's flight dispatch office looks at the most efficient route based on mileage, wind and cost of over-flight permits.
4. The polar route from New Zealand to the south of Chile is very short but not used due to the remoteness of the route and the lack of alternative airports so only specially qualified airplanes can use them.
5. Flight plans are filed with air-traffic control. If there is a reason to avoid an area, it is stated in the flight plan. Pilots receive clearance from air-traffic control and fly that clearance. If there is a reason to change the route, the pilots request an amended clearance. Air-traffic control will approve the amendment unless there is a traffic conflict.

"Come fly with me, come fly, come fly away" were the words of a song that Frank Sinatra sang but today no doubt the words could be adapted to "Come fly with me if we can find a flight." Happy travels, and again, thanks to Air Chathams!