Lincoln Airport (LNK)

[Bob from Omaha]

There are more frustrations coming out of Lincoln as Red Way Airlines still owes money to hundreds of customers nearly three weeks after its last flight.

What's the over/under on 100% refunds?

Also, which will happen first, the final refund being issued or the audit beginning?

[NEDodger]

There are more frustrations coming out of Lincoln as Red Way Airlines still owes money to hundreds of customers nearly three weeks after its last flight.

What's the over/under on 100% refunds?

Also, which will happen first, the final refund being issued or the audit beginning?

I’m not sure why people are waiting for refunds. File a chargeback with your card-issuing bank.

[Mr.Nuke]

There are more frustrations coming out of Lincoln as Red Way Airlines still owes money to hundreds of customers nearly three weeks after its last flight.

What's the over/under on 100% refunds?

Also, which will happen first, the final refund being issued or the audit beginning?

I’m not sure why people are waiting for refunds. File a chargeback with your card-issuing bank.

Yeah the whole thing is kind of odd. That video doesn't really tell us anything about why refunds are still outstanding. Presumably pulling the plug when they did was partially because they knew there was still money there to refund people.

[Bob from Omaha]

I'd still like to know the jaw-dropping destination they teased right before the end.

[Mr.Nuke]

I'd still like to know the jaw-dropping destination they teased right before the end.

I think they owe it to citizens of Lincoln at this point.

[Bob from Omaha]

I'd still like to know the jaw-dropping destination they teased right before the end.

I think they owe it to citizens of Lincoln at this point.

I also think that in addition to the inquiry about Red Way an inquiry should be made into the (I think) $50 million spent to add two gates and whatever else. Two more gates? Seriously? Even with Red Way four gates should have been sufficient.

Anyway, someone or more than one needs to be held to account.

[Mr.Nuke]

Red Way July loads

MCO- 69.6% (104.4 passengers per flight)
LAS- 55.8% (83.7 passengers per flight)
DFW- 53.8% (80.7 passengers per flight)
BNA- 48.6% (72.8 passengere per flight)
ATL- 43.7% (65.5 passengers per flight)
AUS- 37.4% (56.1 passengers per flight)
MSP- 24.4% (36.6 passengers per flight)

-Source was the Department of Transportation's BTS T-100 report for July.

[Bob from Omaha]

Just out of curiosity could you run a report for Allegiant out of DSM for July?

[Mr.Nuke]

Just out of curiosity could you run a report for Allegiant out of DSM for July?

https://www.eomahaforums.com/viewtopic. ... 85#p382285

[Bob from Omaha]

Red Way July loads

MCO- 69.6% (104.4 passengers per flight)
LAS- 55.8% (83.7 passengers per flight)
DFW- 53.8% (80.7 passengers per flight)
BNA- 48.6% (72.8 passengere per flight)
ATL- 43.7% (65.5 passengers per flight)
AUS- 37.4% (56.1 passengers per flight)
MSP- 24.4% (36.6 passengers per flight)

-Source was the Department of Transportation's BTS T-100 report for July.

Darn!! If only they could have held on a bit longer so the jaw dropping destination could have added to the numbers.

[Bob from Omaha]

Red Way July loads

MCO- 69.6% (104.4 passengers per flight)
LAS- 55.8% (83.7 passengers per flight)
DFW- 53.8% (80.7 passengers per flight)
BNA- 48.6% (72.8 passengere per flight)
ATL- 43.7% (65.5 passengers per flight)
AUS- 37.4% (56.1 passengers per flight)
MSP- 24.4% (36.6 passengers per flight)

-Source was the Department of Transportation's BTS T-100 report for July.

Think about this: These numbers are averages for all flights to each destination. Thus, I imagine there were flights where, for example, MSP was actually carrying less than 36 people. THAT is jaw dropping.

[Mr.Nuke]

Presented without comment
Air industry consultant thinks Lincoln has something to offer other carriers
https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... e4574.html

[Garrett]

Presented without comment
Air industry consultant thinks Lincoln has something to offer other carriers
https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... e4574.html

“Man who gets paid to give presentations to airports has optimistic view of airport”

[damonhynes]

Presented without comment
Air industry consultant thinks Lincoln has something to offer other carriers
https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... e4574.html

“Man who gets paid to give presentations to airports has optimistic view of airport”

Such cynicism. :-)

[Bob from Omaha]

Presented without comment
Air industry consultant thinks Lincoln has something to offer other carriers
https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... e4574.html

“Man who gets paid to give presentations to airports has optimistic view of airport”

Such cynicism. :-)

it happens a lot and in many industries. Consultants hired to examine economic viability of hotels, retail, government, etc., justify a project with wild projections. I've been asked over the years to invest in a project and when I look at consultant reports I sometimes said "What are these guys smoking?"

[Bob from Omaha]

LNK October numbers are out. Plus 9% for the month overall. United itself was up 13%. Charters were down. For the year United was up 39%. Those new gates must be helping.

[Mr.Nuke]

LNK October numbers are out. Plus 9% for the month overall. United itself was up 13%. Charters were down. For the year United was up 39%. Those new gates must be helping.

They still apparently can't or won't update their board meeting minutes though.

[Bob from Omaha]

LNK October numbers are out. Plus 9% for the month overall. United itself was up 13%. Charters were down. For the year United was up 39%. Those new gates must be helping.

They still apparently can't or won't update their board meeting minutes though.

Would you?

[Mr.Nuke]

LNK October numbers are out. Plus 9% for the month overall. United itself was up 13%. Charters were down. For the year United was up 39%. Those new gates must be helping.

They still apparently can't or won't update their board meeting minutes though.

Would you?

I would think anything sensitive would've been discussed in executive sessions and wouldn't be reported. Not a good look to suddenly "stop" updating something that had always been updated in the middle of them looking terrible.

[Bob from Omaha]

Wow. Way more damning than I thought. Talk about Hooterville.

Redway Audit

[Coyote]

Nebraska state auditors report on failed Redway Airlines



LINCOLN, Neb. - A 'failed riverboat gamble' using public funds — that's how Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley described the airline that suddenly folded in Lincoln. Red Way Airlines the airline flew for less three months, but in that time, Foley said the startup air service swept up $3 million in federal pandemic relief money and another $700,000 in local funds.

[Mr.Nuke]

State auditor slams ‘riverboat gamble’ with defunct Red Way Airline
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/14 ... yer-funds/

[Bob from Omaha]

On the Lincoln Airport web site they did add agendas up to December 7 but the minutes of said meetings ends with the July 7 meeting. I guess not much to say after that.

[Bob from Omaha]

State auditor slams ‘riverboat gamble’ with defunct Red Way Airline
https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/14 ... yer-funds/

I wouldn't use the comparison with a riverboat gamble as much as a Marx Bros movie. Or maybe "The Sting"?

[Coyote]

United Airlines ending service between Lincoln and Houston



The Lincoln Airport announced the loss of another destination on Thursday.

[damonhynes]

So: No DL. No AA. No flights north-south. Most sports flights go to OMA, anyhow. Except for govt lobbyists, what's the reason for LNK's existence?

[Mr.Nuke]

So: No DL. No AA. No flights north-south. Most sports flights go to OMA, anyhow. Except for govt lobbyists, what's the reason for LNK's existence?

It is a city with 300,000+ people that should be enough to warrant service. Said service though according to the market appears to be one airline flying multiple times a day to two of their hubs. And honestly there isn't anything wrong with that.

[damonhynes]

So: No DL. No AA. No flights north-south. Most sports flights go to OMA, anyhow. Except for govt lobbyists, what's the reason for LNK's existence?

It is a city with 300,000+ people that should be enough to warrant service. Said service though according to the market appears to be one airline flying multiple times a day to two of their hubs. And honestly there isn't anything wrong with that.

Yeah, I suppose the proof's in the pudding--UA had a monopoly before IAH was dropped, and they'll still have a monopoly. Apparently, the fine citizens and businesses of LNK are fine with that.

[Mr.Nuke]

Yeah, I suppose the proof's in the pudding--UA had a monopoly before IAH was dropped, and they'll still have a monopoly. Apparently, the fine citizens and businesses of LNK are fine with that.

I don't think anyone there is happy with it, but I also don't think anyone can do anything about it especially after the Redway debacle.

[Bob from Omaha]

It's tough when there is an 800 lb gorilla less than an hour up the road. And despite the (minor) clamoring for a new airport between Lincoln and Omaha the gorilla ain't goin anywhere.

[Louie]

It's tough when there is an 800 lb gorilla less than an hour up the road. And despite the (minor) clamoring for a new airport between Lincoln and Omaha the gorilla ain't goin anywhere.

Especially with the recent Eppley announcement.

[SkyWarrior55]

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... 2725c.html

[ozbone69]

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... 2725c.html

Read that a little earlier today. I live in the Lincoln metro. It's just mind-boggling how little air service we have out of a 300k+ area. I get it, Omaha is nearby (which is my main airport of choice), but even GI has daily service to Dallas and lured Allegiant away from LNK. Meanwhile, our Houston flights lasted about a year.

[Bob from Omaha]

If LNK gets Air France.or Turkish Air THEN the committee will have earned their keep.

[NEDodger]

If LNK gets Air France.or Turkish Air THEN the committee will have earned their keep.

There are people on this board far more learned than me when it comes to air transportation, but I would think the strategy needs to be:

1.) If possible, a new to the area airline (JetBlue?)
2.) Nonstop destinations that Omaha does NOT provide. This way, you are drawing customers from Omaha who want to forego a layover.

[SkyWarrior55]

If LNK gets Air France.or Turkish Air THEN the committee will have earned their keep.

There are people on this board far more learned than me when it comes to air transportation, but I would think the strategy needs to be:

1.) If possible, a new to the area airline (JetBlue?)
2.) Nonstop destinations that Omaha does NOT provide. This way, you are drawing customers from Omaha who want to forego a layover.

I would say ULCCs such as Avelo or Breeze would be best. Frontier has OMA and Allegiant has GRI and OMA. New existing carriers would be offer more variety for passengers.

[joleo]

Yeah, this is my take.
LNK airport could get AA to DFW but it will hurt both OMA and GRI to DFW so not sure if AA is willing to take that plunge. This is why IAH-LNK was dropped on UA because United knows the passengers will just drive to OMA for OMA-IAH, why service LNK at expense of their larger route?

Breeze of Avelo. They both chase subsidies. Breeze is bleeding money so not sure if LNK really wants to get them knowing they probably won't be around a few years from now.

Avelo is not bleeding money but they also don't tolerate routes that don't make money. They will drop them quick, after subsidy runs out which would be a bad look for LNK, again. It would be to LAS or MCO 2x weekly and seasonal. Is this even worth it to chase?

Lincoln would be better off just accepting and celebrating what the have with United and then drive to Eppley otherwise, it really isn't very far at all. Passengers in larger cities routinely drive an hour to get to the airport if you don't live next to it.

If I were a LNK resident, would I rather have an airport an hour away with 30 nonstop destinations or an airport close with 4 destinations? I'd take the nonstop, it benefits the whole area.

If OMA and LNK airport authorities could join forces and do some subsidies to get more OMA nonstop destinations instead of fighting each other and wasting money, it would benefit all of eastern Nebraska more than trying to get a few more flights to LNK. (PDX, SAN, BOS, SFO, EWR) Eppley could get them all with small subsidies to get them started which would have a big benefit to Lincoln residents.

[Mr.Nuke]

1.) If possible, a new to the area airline (JetBlue?)

Presumably options such as this including carriers like Avelo and Breeze were pursued when they had the ARPA funds. I have a really hard time Red Way was option 1, 2, 3, 4 etc and if it was good lord. Regardless, airlines including the one that is left have seen how quickly even subsidized service can fail at Lincoln. The Red Way debacle has probably set that airport back a decade plus. Who is going to want to try it after that?

2.) Nonstop destinations that Omaha does NOT provide. This way, you are drawing customers from Omaha who want to forego a layover.

And if you were going to go all Red Way that is probably what they should've done instead of doubling up on a lot of destinations that Omaha already sees service to. The problem with this strategy though is most of the destinations Omaha doesn't have service to, is because they aren't economically viable. That could be a lack of demand or lack of yields where the fare people are willing to pay isn't sustainable. That clearly isn't a winning strategy either.

Basically I think near-term they blew their shot for any decent options if any options at all for additional service this past year.

LNK airport could get AA to DFW but it will hurt both OMA and GRI to DFW so not sure if AA is willing to take that plunge. This is why IAH-LNK was dropped on UA because United knows the passengers will just drive to OMA for OMA-IAH,

Don't forget the federal subsidy that went to UA on IAH was allocated for DFW service. It went outstanding for multiple years until LNK was able to get the government to allow it to be used on IAH, and this was only after Commuteair set up the maintenance base wanting to rotate planes through. If AA had a MRG of $750,000 from the Federal government and $750,000 from the Lincoln community and didn't use it they clearly aren't interested.

[NEDodger]

Makes sense! Thanks, Nuke!

[Coyote]

Lincoln Airport Authority introduces new roles to focus on airline relationships



New changes are taking off at Lincoln Airport and it’s starting with some familiar faces in new positions.