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On 2/4/2003 2:07:55 PM Speedbird wrote:
I think its safe to say that the "local" Long Beach market is not that robust to support this level of service all by itself. Therefore, jetBlue is pulling traffic out of LAX at the continued expense of AAL, DAL, & UAL.
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Much of the traffic going into LAX most likely are not passengers staying within the L.A. city limits. This airport serves many communities that surround LAX, including Long Beach. Long Beach, in turn, serves much of the surrounding community. The catchment area for LGB is huge!!! Many people would rather fly into LGB then LAX simply because it's so much less of a hassle. LGB is a small airport with easy parking, not much in the way of security hassles. LAX is one of the largest and busiest airports in the world with often long security waits and inconvenient and very expensive parking. With LGB just 20-30 minutes down 405, why not choose LGB?
Jet Blue doesn't have to "stimulate" traffic at LGB. AA, DL, CO, UA, NW, etc. have done that for years - at LAX. People are very willing to drive an extra 20 minutes (or in many cases, save an extra 20 minutes of drive time) to save hundreds of dollars. WN "stimulated" traffic at airports like ISP, MHT, PVD, etc. - they are not nearly as convenient to the NYC, BOS areas as LGB is to the LAX area.