Flights, revenue continue down at JWA

Paul Clinton

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT -- Almost two full months after the Sept. 11

terrorist attacks shocked the nation and sent the airline industry into a

downward spiral, a steady 15% fewer commercial flights are using the

airport here.

The trend, mirrored at the nation’s other airports, has put a massive

dent in the airport’s budget, resulting in shortfalls that are still

being worked out.

In the only revenue number available, the airport showed a 2.5%

increase in parking revenue between Oct. 29 and Nov. 4. But that is still

12.6% lower than the same period last year.

Other revenue sources include money from rental cars, restaurants and

other concessions, and operating revenue.

Airport Director Alan Murphy is compiling an in-depth report on

airport revenue drops he expects to submit to the Orange County Board of

Supervisors on Dec. 4, airport spokeswoman Ann McCarley said.

“We’re just trying to get a better feel for our financial situation,”

McCarley said Tuesday afternoon.

The airport has spent $1.09 million between Sept. 11 and Nov. 4 on increased security costs at the airport. Murphy expects to spend an

additional $9 million during the next year.

On Tuesday, the supervisors approved a $175,601 contract with Chief

Protective Services, a company that has been providing unarmed guards to

search the trunks of visitors after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The board has since moved to using Orange County sheriff’s deputies to

do the trunk searches on the recommendation of Sheriff Michael Carona.

The unarmed guards will be used for crowd control in the terminal

during mornings, McCarley said.

As far as flights, John Wayne is still about 15% below pre-Sept. 11

levels.

Between Oct. 22 and Oct. 28, the airlines flew 2% less flights

compared with the same period the year before.

Even more staggering are the airport’s passenger counts. Between that

same period, there was a 1.2% decrease from the previous week, a 13.5%

decrease from the same period a year earlier.

Passenger counts were down 33.5% in September, 17% lower during the

Oct. 1 to Oct. 14 period and 14% lower for the Oct. 15 to Oct. 21 time

frame.

Newport Beach officials are expressing concern about the drops

rippling through the city’s economy.

“As fallout, I’m not at all surprised that we will be suffering the

economic consequences for some time to come,” Councilman Dennis O’Neil

said. “It doesn’t surprise me.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

[email protected] .

TEASES

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