Airport projects slight revenue increase
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. airline industry, the Lincoln Airport is projecting a slight increase in operating revenues for its coming fiscal year.
The 2009 budget adopted by the Airport Authority on Thursday predicts airport operations will bring in about $25,000 more than in 2008.
That’s a drop in the bucket, less than one-third of a percent of the airport’s overall projected revenue, but it’s a positive sign considering most major airlines have cut or plan to cut flights and the Lincoln Airport has been losing passengers for several years.
Commercial airline operations are actually expected to bring about $150,000 less to the airport next year, but that figure is expected to be offset by an increase in revenues from the airport’s industrial park.
“In these tough economic times, the airport is doing pretty well, especially with leasing Air Park buildings,” said Airport Authority member Bob Hampton, who also pointed out that for the 22nd consecutive year, the board will not exercise its taxing authority.
However, fortunes could change.
Though Lincoln has not lost any air service yet, both major carriers that serve the airport — Northwest and United — have made cuts in other cities and plan more for later in the year and into the next.
Airport Executive Director John Wood said the 2009 budget assumes the same level of service for Lincoln because, “it’s unknown, and we’ve got nothing else to go on.”
Wood said, however, that he has heard nothing from any of the airlines indicating they will reduce service here, and he also pointed to an interactive map on USA Today’s Web site showing Lincoln actually has about 1 percent more seats than it did in November 2007, while Omaha’s available seats have declined more than 6 percent.
Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
The 2009 budget adopted by the Airport Authority on Thursday predicts airport operations will bring in about $25,000 more than in 2008.
That’s a drop in the bucket, less than one-third of a percent of the airport’s overall projected revenue, but it’s a positive sign considering most major airlines have cut or plan to cut flights and the Lincoln Airport has been losing passengers for several years.
Commercial airline operations are actually expected to bring about $150,000 less to the airport next year, but that figure is expected to be offset by an increase in revenues from the airport’s industrial park.
“In these tough economic times, the airport is doing pretty well, especially with leasing Air Park buildings,” said Airport Authority member Bob Hampton, who also pointed out that for the 22nd consecutive year, the board will not exercise its taxing authority.
However, fortunes could change.
Though Lincoln has not lost any air service yet, both major carriers that serve the airport — Northwest and United — have made cuts in other cities and plan more for later in the year and into the next.
Airport Executive Director John Wood said the 2009 budget assumes the same level of service for Lincoln because, “it’s unknown, and we’ve got nothing else to go on.”
Wood said, however, that he has heard nothing from any of the airlines indicating they will reduce service here, and he also pointed to an interactive map on USA Today’s Web site showing Lincoln actually has about 1 percent more seats than it did in November 2007, while Omaha’s available seats have declined more than 6 percent.
Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
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