Lincoln Airport (LNK)

[ProgKingHughesker]

Aren't "familiar faces" what brought the whole fiasco about in the first place?

[NEDodger]

Aren't "familiar faces" what brought the whole fiasco about in the first place?

No kidding. You’d think they would have cleaned house.

[gisbuxfan]

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

[CBJason]

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

LOL...me too!! Although, downsizing would be more proper as they would be great GA airports. Especially, Omaha since that would be perfect for UNO's flight training program.

[Mr.Nuke]

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

Why combine two airports when one airport already has 95% of the traffic? I get the Lincoln and to the West of Lincoln pipe dream, but it doesn't make any sense.

[ozbone69]

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

Why combine two airports when one airport already has 95% of the traffic? I get the Lincoln and to the West of Lincoln pipe dream, but it doesn't make any sense.

Agreed (and I say that as someone who lives in southern Lancaster County).

Eppley is a great airport with an even better location (close to downtown), with am impressive list of improvements going on there. Hopefully they can continue to grow their domestic nonstop options as their numbers grow.

Lincoln's airport is no doubt disappointing, but my expectations for it are very low as well. I just wish they could get Delta back and bring back flights to Minneapolis and Atlanta again (plus something that goes to Texas). Basically, 5 nonstops with Denver and Chicago included. That's it. That's all I want.

[Bob from Omaha]

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

Why combine two airports when one airport already has 95% of the traffic? I get the Lincoln and to the West of Lincoln pipe dream, but it doesn't make any sense.

I'd assume they already draw from west of Lincoln. Years ago Smithey talked about catchement. Eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, parts of South Dakota, Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. I would guess it's much the same now.

[SkyWarrior55]

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... 21f8e.html

Some good news out of LNK.

[gisbuxfan]

I was looking at data between LNK and GRI. Grand Island is right on the heals of LNK enplanements. In November 2023 they were 9k vs 5k accordingly. I am guessing Lincoln loses out on passengers to both Omaha and Grand Island. Considering the size of markets, LNK should be much higher than it is.

The headline I want to see is...
Eppley changes course on remodel and bulldozes airport. Lincoln airport bulldozed as well. Officials decide to build a big airport between the two cities.

Why combine two airports when one airport already has 95% of the traffic? I get the Lincoln and to the West of Lincoln pipe dream, but it doesn't make any sense.

I'd assume they already draw from west of Lincoln. Years ago Smithey talked about catchement. Eastern Nebraska, western Iowa, parts of South Dakota, Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas. I would guess it's much the same now.

[Bob from Omaha]

I was looking at data between LNK and GRI. Grand Island is right on the heals of LNK enplanements. In November 2023 they were 9k vs 5k accordingly. I am guessing Lincoln loses out on passengers to both Omaha and Grand Island. Considering the size of markets, LNK should be much higher than it is.

I'm surprised that Allegiant hasn't added service to other cities from GRI. They served Orlando for a while a few years ago. I'd have thought MCO would do well. In a 50 mile radius about Grand Island there are over 200,000 people.

[gisbuxfan]

I’ve heard they are looking at bringing the Orlando flight back as well as a Chicago flight.

I was looking at data between LNK and GRI. Grand Island is right on the heals of LNK enplanements. In November 2023 they were 9k vs 5k accordingly. I am guessing Lincoln loses out on passengers to both Omaha and Grand Island. Considering the size of markets, LNK should be much higher than it is.

I'm surprised that Allegiant hasn't added service to other cities from GRI. They served Orlando for a while a few years ago. I'd have thought MCO would do well. In a 50 mile radius about Grand Island there are over 200,000 people.

[Mr.Nuke]

Considering the size of markets, LNK should be much higher than it is.

They self-admitted in 2020 that they were losing about 70% of their natural market to Omaha. I suspect that is probably low.

I'm surprised that Allegiant hasn't added service to other cities from GRI. They served Orlando for a while a few years ago. I'd have thought MCO would do well. In a 50 mile radius about Grand Island there are over 200,000 people.

They're pretty good at route development, but the only 3 destinations with a PDEW of greater than 10 as of right now are the 3 served out of there.

I’ve heard they are looking at bringing the Orlando flight back as well as a Chicago flight.

I'd be really surprised on Chicago unless The EAS shifts from DFW. The average number of passengers actually going to/from Dallas as a destination was only about 10 a day.

[Bob from Omaha]

200,000 people. Whatever percentage, and I have to believe it's more than 3%, are flying from somewhere.

[Mr.Nuke]

200,000 people. Whatever percentage, and I have to believe it's more than 3%, are flying from somewhere.

I'm sure their leakage numbers to Eppley look nearly as bad as Lincoln. It is only about a 150 mile drive airport to airport on GRI-OMA where you've got a ton more options on more airlines. The two sun destinations are nice, but won't get you connected anywhere, and DFW isn't a great connecting airport for large portions of the country.

[nebugeater]

200,000 people. Whatever percentage, and I have to believe it's more than 3%, are flying from somewhere.

I know many people in Lincoln who fly out of KC, especially if they live in South Lincoln.

[Mr.Nuke]

200,000 people. Whatever percentage, and I have to believe it's more than 3%, are flying from somewhere.

I know many people in Lincoln who fly out of KC, especially if they live in South Lincoln.

"Many" is subjective. Neither KC on their end or Lincoln on their end claim that a "significant" number of people are driving from Lancaster County to Kansas City for flights.

In the commercial realm, Haring says that Lincoln has some nearby competition. “We lose about 70 percent of our potential market to Omaha,” he notes. “It’s located about 60-70 miles away from us. We lose a very small fraction of our potential market to Kansas City, but that’s a much farther drive – about three-and-a-half hours from here. So, those are really the two primary commercial competitors.

https://businessviewmagazine.com/lincol ... -thriving/

[Mr.Nuke]

I came across this last night. It is a presentation Haring gave to Lincoln City Council/Lancaster County Commissioners on 2/15/2022. https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/AgendaCent ... ileID=7397

A couple of interesting things.

-He estimates they were retaining 20% of Lancaster residents flying i.e. similar to his 70% of their market is going Omaha above.

-This is 2022 so a full year before Red Way. but there is a slide called "Airline in a box" that basically describes what would become Red Way... Seemingly confirming this was probably the airport's idea.

-At one point recruit additional carrier for additional service is crossed out. Does that mean they tried and failed?

-Lastly, there is some retention rate data that probably informed some of the places they targeted. It looks like PDEW derived to me, but it has actual Cancun numbers for Omaha which are rare to come by.

Basically just an interesting read that kind of shows how they went down the Red Way path.

[ozbone69]

I came across this last night. It is a presentation Haring gave to Lincoln City Council/Lancaster County Commissioners on 2/15/2022. https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/AgendaCent ... ileID=7397

A couple of interesting things.

-He estimates they were retaining 20% of Lancaster residents flying i.e. similar to his 70% of their market is going Omaha above.

-This is 2022 so a full year before Red Way. but there is a slide called "Airline in a box" that basically describes what would become Red Way so it probably was the airports idea

-Lastly, there is some retention rate data that probably informed some of the places they targeted. It looks like PDEW derived to me, but it has actual Cancun numbers for Omaha which are rare to come by.

Basically just an interesting read that kind of shows how they went down the Red Way path.

We live in Southern Lancaster County and do everything humanly possible to fly nonstop to our destination.

I have friends in Denver that we try to see a couple times a year, so if I'm flying there (sometimes we drive), I will look at LNK first. I'm probably 50/50 on LNK/OMA flying there based on available times and price.

Outside of that, we probably use OMA for the bulk of our flights and will fill in with KC if there are specific destination that OMA does not fly to (last year, we flew to Boston from KC as an example. Looking at maybe Portland this summer).

A lot of people are focusing on the Eppley redevelopment with international service, but I'm really hoping to see more domestic nonstops (Philadelphia, Boston, Milwaukee, etc.) come from it.

[SkyWarrior55]

https://journalstar.com/news/local/comm ... e7bf9.html

Thoughts?

[Mr.Nuke]

https://journalstar.com/news/local/comm ... e7bf9.html

Thoughts?

Two things can be true at the same time. I have no doubt that this guy is political grandstanding given the random timing. Especially if that guy was on the board when they handed signed off on handing the ARPA funds over to the airport, because the county commissioners and city council are culpable in this if they knew this was the plan as well..... However, it is odd to me that there hasn't been any accountability whatsoever about what happened with that debacle other than an "audit." Said "audit" really didn't focus on what happened at all or again hold anyone responsible in any meaningful manner. Especially knowing now from that slide deck I found this week that they were basically going the Red Way route even before the ARPA funds were allocated, even before the ballot initiative passed, etc. Yeah someone needs to answer some questions about why they did what they did.

As far as I know the only causality down there was a board member than resigned right after Red Way failed. Based on the timing that was either a shame or protest resignation.

[Mr.Nuke]

Former Global Crossing chief to start up Florida-based A220 operator

[Bob from Omaha]

Another 220 airline? Florida-based? With fuel prices rising? Higher interest rates?'
Ought to call it Red Way.

Between Red Way and the terminal expansion paid for by property taxes if I was a Lincoln resident I'd really wonder about leadership of the city and the airport.

[ProgKingHughesker]

They keep calling it Red Way because the finances make their Way into the Red

[SkyWarrior55]

Leadership changes and more development.

https://www.klkntv.com/as-renovations-w ... e-changes/

[Mr.Nuke]

Leadership changes and more development.

https://www.klkntv.com/as-renovations-w ... e-changes/

We'll see what if anything comes from the board meeting. My expectations are pretty low.

[Coyote]

As renovations wrap up, Lincoln Airport considers more changes

[Bob from Omaha]

I'm no expert in airport administration. A question. How many people are needed to manage 8 flights? Renovating offices? A priority? As I understand it Lincoln taxpayers are paying for some if not all of this. Were I a taxpayer I wouldn't be happy about this.
Bring more flights/destinations/airlines & we'll talk.

[Mr.Nuke]

I'm no expert in airport administration. A question. How many people are needed to manage 8 flights? Renovating offices? A priority? As I understand it Lincoln taxpayers are paying for some if not all of this. Were I a taxpayer I wouldn't be happy about this.
Bring more flights/destinations/airlines & we'll talk.

The other question is do you trust the people that brought you Red Way to do any of that?

[Mr.Nuke]

Haring not surprisingly survives.

The Lincoln Airport Authority unanimously approved a vote of confidence resolution for Executive Director Dave Haring, but not before one board member fired back on the Red Way airlines fiasco.

"To simply high-five everybody and say 'We're all going to move forward; it's great,' but have no accountability is a problem," said Chris Stokes, who proposed a resolution of censure and reprimand for former Airport Authority board chairman Nick Cusick and Red Way CEO Nick Wangler.


"When you don't hold people accountable or responsible parties accountable, you have all kinds of organizational problems."

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... d525d.html

https://www.klkntv.com/lincoln-airports ... mous-vote/

[Coyote]

Lincoln's airport moves forward with its leadership despite Red Way's debacle

[Mr.Nuke]

Nick Cusick, who resigned from the Airport Authority Board in July after serving more than 10 years, confirmed to the Journal Star on Wednesday that Red Way had already burned through most of a $3 million incentive fund provided by Lincoln and Lancaster County via left over American Rescue Plan Act funds.

And this is kind of wild, because at the time the assumption from that article was Cusick resigned over Red Way, but in actuality he resigned because he basically wanted to A) either try to keep it going or B) try something else directly at the hands of Lancaster County taxpayers.

From the LJS article I posted yesterday,

"In July, longtime board member Nick Cusick resigned after the airport authority rejected his proposal to raise the mill levy by 0.24 of a cent, which would have generated as much as $1 million annually to be put into an airline recruitment fund that would be used to incentivize carriers to consider flying routes in and out of Lincoln.

The timing wasn't right, said the board, which defeated the proposal, 3-2. But will the timing ever be right? Does the board have the stomach to raise taxes on Lancaster County homeowners just two years after levying taxes for the first time in more than 35 years to pay for the terminal project?"

WOW? Right as Red Way was failing, the airport board nearly thought it would be wise to raise taxes on Lancaster County property owners to try something all over again?

[nativeomahan]

Just exactly how big of a phuck-up does one have to be at the Lincoln Airport Authority to lose one’s job?

[GenX]

Just exactly how big of a phuck-up does one have to be at the Lincoln Airport Authority to lose one’s job?

Apparently a bigger one than this…

[Coyote]

Work wraps up on Lincoln Airport Terminal Project



A new terminal project was completed at the Lincoln Airport after two years of work. A open house was held Thursday for people to stop by and check out the new offices, signage and baggage areas.

[Bob from Omaha]

.

[Mr.Nuke]

In other Lincoln Airport News:

"Landing a new air carrier to Lincoln is going to take some time, airport official says

https://journalstar.com/news/local/linc ... -top-story

[Mr.Nuke]

Lincoln Airport's proposed budget calls for a significant property tax increase

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... 64083.html

[almighty_tuna]

The Lincoln Airport Authority put forth a 2024-25 budget on Monday that calls for a mill levy request of 3.1 cents — an increase of 1.43 cents from last year's budget

Idk what else is hiding behind the paywall, but good luck to them. I'm not in the airport business, but are there any case studies where airports in similar proximity (and not part of a very large metro area) worked together to complement each other's services vs doing things like this levy to play a no-win tug of war for a limited pool of customers?

[Bob from Omaha]

Some quotes:

"The levy increase would go toward paying debt for the new terminal (1.67 cents), the airport's share of a $96 million runway improvement project (0.33 cents) and a number of deferred maintenance needs (1.1 cents) that have been put on the back burner for far too long, said Chad Lay, the airport's director of planning and development."

"The 0.33-cent increase will be on the books until 2044, while the levy for the terminal expansion will be in place until 2037, Haring said. The 1.1-cent increase for maintenance would be evaluated on a year-to-year basis."

Something struck me. LNK now has seven gates, up from four, or at least seven jetways sticking out of the terminal. Now, right now there are flights to ORD and DEN. It seems to me LNK needs two gates currently. If they were to add a destination then maybe they'd need another gate. Anyway, it seems to me that four gates is plenty. Whatever, they won't be coming to me for the money.

By the way, I got past the paywall by throwing them a buck for six months digital. What the h e ll.

[Mr.Nuke]

The board approved said tax increase.

The Red Way fiasco, Katt said, put the airport on his radar.
"Whatever business decision (Red Way) was tells me the public damn well better pay attention to what's going on out here," he said. "That's my perspective. ... What I'd say is no levy increase. Leave it alone, until you (can) justify and have the ability for the public to weigh in on these capital improvements that you're asking for."

https://journalstar.com/news/local/busi ... 94c86.html