Airlines Flying Smaller Aircraft On Short-Haul Routes

At one time, American Airlines flew two large airplanes out of Chicago's O'Hare International for every regional jet that operated there. For United Airlines, the ratio was three to one. Today, that trend has reversed, and the airport and passengers are feeling the pinch.

The airlines say the smaller jets are cheaper to operate, and it's easier to fly a full airplane when there are half as many seats. But passengers say the smaller jets are not as comfortable as a larger Boeing or Airbus aircraft, not to mention there is less room for carry-on luggage.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the airport, too, is feeling a financial strain because of the trend. Regional jets pay a reduced landing fee when compared to their larger cousins, and that means less money for airport operations. Coupled with a sharp drop in passenger traffic and a reduced number of flights overall due to the recession, and the airport authority is finding its self with significantly reduced revenue. That has led to a strained relationship between the airline tenants and the airport, as the city struggles with paying for a major upgrade at one of the world's busiest airports.

While Chicago Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino anticipates an increase in travel as the recession eases, the Airlines say the regional jets are here to stay. American Spokeswoman Andrea Hugely told the paper it was a simple matter of matching seats and routes to customer demand. Aviation consultant Darryl Jenkins said the regional jets operating on codeshares with the legacy carriers are far more economical for short-haul routes than a Boeing 737 or an Airbus A320.

FMI: www.flychicago.com, www.united.com, www.aa.com