"Passenger Loads at Airport in Stockton, Calif., Increase in June"

Monday, July 21, 2003

Passenger Loads at Airport in Stockton, Calif., Increase in June
The Stockton (CA) Record


Airline flights departing Stockton Metropolitan Airport in June averaged
70.2 percent of capacity, the highest level so far this year, officials
said.

But while the load factor is expected to go even higher this month, since
America West Airlines cut daily service to Phoenix to one round-trip flight
per day as of June 22, total passengers figures will drop, said Barry
Rondinella, airport director.

The Stockton airport's average load factor -- a commonly cited figure that
reflects the relative popularity of a flight -- was 66.2 percent in May.
Mesa Air Group -- which operates the America West Express 50-seat jets
serving

Stockton -- reported its systemwide load factor averaged 69.5 percent in
June, up from 65.1 percent in May.

Phoenix-based America West, the one airline serving Stockton, decided in May
to reduce service to a single flight. Airline officials cited a lack of
demand for the decision, but critics said the company provided little
marketing support to bring in customers.

San Joaquin County, which operates the airport, is moving to revitalize
local air service. A month ago, it hired a Colorado-based consultant,
promising a substantial payout only if Airplanners LLC can convince a major
airline to begin regular flights between Stockton and the Los Angeles area.

"I am, as they say, cautiously optimistic about the potential for additional
service to Stockton Metropolitan Airport," Rondinella said.

The airport director said the America West cutback had relatively little
impact on June passenger figures, but the full impact will be seen this
month.

Average load factors so far this month are running at about 85 percent,
Rondinella said, probably due to a combination of travelers only having one
choice and that July is typically the peak of the summer travel season.

He added there will be no immediate change in airport staffing due to the
reduced flight schedule. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has
no plans to cut jobs.

America West inaugurated service in Stockton on Feb. 28, 2001, offering
three flights a day to its Phoenix hub, drawn in part by $800,000 in
financial incentives. That included $500,000 in advance travel-voucher
purchases and $100,000 for a marketing representative for the Stockton
market.

Before that, the airport had gone about five years without regularly
scheduled passenger service.


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