Hilo flights to cost more

[Bob Orts]

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Originally posted by macuu222

So if Hilo has low passenger levels and high terminal expenses...then why are they currently making lounge improvements at the airport? They should be reducing their size instead of expanding it to match small passenger levels. I always wondered why Hilo had jetways and Kona didn't even though Kona has much more passenger traffic and larger planes.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Rob Tucker

Intriguing question..... I wonder what the answer is?

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It’s most likely that the Hilo airport improvements were requested by the airlines and by consumers, including jet ways. It would have been agreed upon by the airlines and airport management. And, most likely approved long before the fiscal crises happen. May have been an item planned while all the airlines were still in business and Hilo was a destination some planned to increase traffic. What you’re seeing is the end of the improvement process. All this was done with the airlines knowledge and agreement.

As for Kona, the Master Plan is being finalized as we speak. All previous plans, the PUBLIC, tourist industry, hospitality industry, and community organizations opposed closing in the airport. It’s one of the few remaining open air airports and just about everyone felt although it needed modernization, modernization should not come at the expense of adding jet ways and closing in the terminal. The uniqueness was a driving force in prior master plans. You can check the status of the various plan items at that airport's website. Hilo on the other hand, was one where everyone (including the public) wanted a more modern and closed in airport.

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Originally posted by EightFingers

Business falls off so you raise your prices?
Doesn't even make fundamental economic sense.

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Government has no option, it’s the law. If the airlines and passengers who are using the airport are not paying, it comes out of every taxpayer’s pockets.