Originally Posted by
F15Cricket
Did you read the article? ... It says ALL pax that go through SEATAC pay a fee (Passenger Facility Charge) that will benefit pretty much only Delta international pax ... Shouldn't those who use that terminal be the ones to pay for it, or do you believe socialism works in private industry?
How would you and your pax like to pay a fee that would build new gates ONLY to be used by Alaska?
I like the (not so) veiled threat from the DAL SEATAC Bubba that y'all may take your toys and play somewhere else if DAL doesn't get their way. Aww, looks like somebody needs a hug...
Delta has payed over and over again for toys other airlines use. It's the nature of the industry. Delta will not own the gates or terminal. It will also free up gates that Alaska may well be assigned. I also suspect that Delta will use less then half those gates when all airlines are added together. PFC's are how airports fund expansion. It's done everywhere in the country. Many of the passengers arriving off international flights will connect to Alaska so they benefit in two ways. More gates and people.
In addition the passengers who are the ones paying the fees will benefit from increased competition. Take a look at fare reductions to Alaska as a example.