I heard the City Manager on WTAG this morning. He indicated, as he said before, that the City of Worcester does not belong in the airport business and that he would be in negotiations with MassPort.
From he said it sounded to me that we can expect a long-term lease with an option to take title to ORH. MassPort will be paying 100% of the operating deficit, but will they pay the debt service (600K per year)? Again please note the City Manager did not give these details, but this is how I translated his comments.
Lastly he also mentioned that we were in discussions with a couple commercial airlines.
Same Time Next Year
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It’s been nearly a year since I wrote about the problems that come from
having 11 bosses who are not on the same page about anything, as well as
suggestion...
5 months ago
14 comments:
Bill, if you or your readers have follow-up questions for the City Manager, you might consider asking them via WCCA TV13. You can submit questions here: Link
Looks like Skybus won't be one of the airlines.
Went to Crankyflier website. Looks like Portsmouth,NH got the nod.
yes, portsmouth has skybus with 2 daily flights to columbus. Fares from $15 tax included
Maybe we are on the next week announcement?? Allegiant flew into both airports.
Believe I hope we get Skybus, Cape Air code sharing w/ JetBlue to Boston or SkyValue to Gary.
I have this 100 times, but if I am any of these start-ups copying the Allegiant model ORH would scare me since Allegiant pulled out.
I don't get it. Costs have got to be the same around the country (fuel, labor,fees etc.) What makes Worcester so different we can't land and keep an airline?
Word from the Portsmouth media is Skybus is not paying Portsmouth anything for two years. If you look at their web site, they are flying to Columbus with connections to other locations- many of which are going to be difficult from Portsmouth unless they capture a lot of Boston's market.
Anyone know which airlines the CM says they are talking to?
On council meeting last night the manager mentioned he wanted to get started with the new budget asap. I would beleive that transfer of ORH would happen before 7-1-07.
Tim Mac:
No way.Government does not work that fast. The lease or sale will take a looooong time.Maybe they will handle the Operating Budget, but they will not take over 7/1/07.
Again, does anyone know what airlines the CM is talking to as referenced in the last Blog posting from Bill?
If Massport is not fully responsible for the airport, then we can expect the same as far as no new service is concerned. What I mean is there any reason for them to grow ORH until the deal is complete?
Tim:
I envision this.. A ten year agreement whereby MassPort pays 100 of the operating deficit. Wonder if they will pay the debt service???
This will give MassPort enough time to see whether or not they can make a go of ORH. At the same time, they will protect themselves with an option outright buy ORH during or at the end of the lease. How will this price be determined?
That is what I am guessing.
Tried to get the budget on line. It is not there. anyone know how to get one?
Again, anyone know which airlines the CM says they are talking with at this time?
Any combination of Jetblue, Southwest, Northwest, US Air, delta, Continetal, United would be great. Who knows though.
If they have their thinking caps on, the most they'll give Massport is right if first refusal at the end of the supposed lease, unless there are backroom politics involved.
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