"SFO Commission votes to add $1 fee for use of new in-transit lounge"

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

SFO Commission votes to add $1 fee
Airlines could pass on costs to travelers
By Christine Lias
The San Francisco (CA) Examiner


SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Airport Commission on Tuesday unanimously
approved a new $1 fee per passenger for airlines that step on board and
offer international travelers use of a new "in-transit lounge."

It remains to be seen whether airlines that opt for the lounge service will
pay for it or pass on the fee to their customers.

San Francisco International Airport already has the lounge, but it is not in
use.
 
SFO will be the only airport nationwide charging such a fee, according to
airport spokesman Mike McCarron.

The lounge, located in international Terminal G, will be available for those
international travelers with a layover at SFO. For example, airport
marketing deputy director Candace Bender told the commission, it would be
available for travelers coming from Hong Kong with a layover before
continuing on to Toronto.

The in-transit lounge would allow travelers to rest in a "sterile, secure
area" without having to retrieve baggage, Bender told the commission.
Passengers who use the lounge will have to go through security and be
rescreened.
 
The lounge could also offer cold beverages and snacks.

Lounge fees are expected to generate roughly $400,000 and would be used for
maintenance costs. Bender told the commission that there is at least one
airline interested. McCarron would not divulge which airline is interested
in the lounge.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************