Three years after American Eagle began regional jet service from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to a small airport near Bentonville, Ark., American Airlines is preparing to take over the service.
On July 2, the Ft. Worth-based airline says it will replace its 50-seat regional jets serving the Chicago to Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport route with mainline service, complete with first class.
Increasing traffic loads–the four daily round trips are frequently sold out–is prompting American to transfer the service to its mainline fleet.
Much of that growth is due to the proximity of the headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, in nearby Bentonville. But it is notable that the increase in traffic has continued since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, while most of the rest of the industry remains in a funk.
“We could not be more pleased by this decision, and the people who will unquestionably benefit are our passengers,” said Kelly Johnson, director of the Northwest Arkansas airport.
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American says it is replacing the 50-seat regional jets serving the Chicago-to-Northwest Arkansas route with 87-seat F100 jets. It’s a step the airline has promised as it develops new markets with the small jet.
Paying for paper: Virtually all of the nation’s major airlines are using a special fee to force passengers to use an electronic ticket rather than the old standby on paper.
Among the very largest, only Elk Grove Township-based United Airlines has not switched to the $10 surcharge that other carriers are using.
Joe Hopkins, a spokesman for the airline, says there currently are no plans to add the surcharge.
Earlier this week, Northwest Airlines added the $10 surcharge for leisure-fare passengers who buy their tickets from the airline and insist upon a paper ticket when electronic ticketing is available.
“In May a record 79 percent of our domestic customers utilized e-tickets, and of those passengers one out of every three utilized self-service check-in,” said Al Lenza, vice president of distribution and e-commerce.
Still, the airline said customers who book business fares will have the option of paper or electronic.
American Airlines has been charging a $10 fee for paper tickets since April 2001. Continental added the surcharge in November while America West added it in January. US Airways and Delta added the charge in May.
Expansion push moves west: Pressure to expand some of the country’s major airports isn’t limited to Chicago.
On Thursday, United pilots called on San Francisco officials to begin moving on plans for construction of a new runway at San Francisco International Airport.
The pressure from pilots is similar to the tactics used by airlines and business groups to convince Mayor Richard M. Daley and Gov. George Ryan to approve expansion plans for O’Hare.
Grand opening set: The grand opening of the Sofitel Chicago Water Tower Hotel, 20 E. Chestnut St., will be held Monday.
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