BY GREGORY A. HALL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HEBRON -- Kenton County Judge-executive Rodney "Biz" Cain has been asking people who want to be on the airport board several questions. At the top of the list is whether they're willing to work to attract new airlines so travelers can get cheaper fares.
It's a personal peeve.
Because of those fares, some people -- including Mr. Cain -- have driven to other airports where fares are cheaper.
"What we need is affordable airline rates for our citizens," he said.
Mr. Cain will submit six names to Gov. Paul Patton today for appointment to the 10-member Kenton County Airport Advisory Board, Mr. Cain said Monday.
Although they can't vote at meetings of the board that oversees the Cincinnati - Northern Kentucky International Airport, advisory members have influence. They vote in committee meetings, where many decisions are formulated, and speak at full board meetings. Mr. Cain wouldn't disclose on Monday the names he's presenting to Mr. Patton, but said there will be some changes.
Advisory board members whose terms expired Sept. 28 are: Joseph Head, Dr. O'Dell Owens, Nancy Donovan, Kenneth Scott, John Steinman, Oliver Waddell and Frank Sommerkamp.
The airport's status as a hub for Delta Air Lines and Comair means more flights, but their market share influences whether other airlines will come, said airport board member Arlyn Easton.
"They can't come in and be that competitive with all of the destinations that Delta and Comair have, and so it would be tough to crack," he said.
The higher fares at the Cincinnati airport fit into a larger national trend, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation report issued this summer.
"High fares in shorter-distance markets come about at hub airports where one major network airline has a dominant market share," the report stated. "Average fares at some of these airports can be 50 to 60 percent higher when compared to more competitive markets."
The report cites fourth-quarter 1997 averages that show trips between Cincinnati and Chicago average $259 for a one-way fare, compared to $72 from Louisville.
"We have too many people who are flying who are also burning too much gasoline in their cars," Mr. Cain said.
Airport leaders say they're doing what they can to attract other airlines.
The airport administration, the city of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce have an ongoing effort to attract other carriers to the Hebron airport.
Mr. Easton said whenever someone finds out he's on the board, he hears a demand for cheaper fares.
"We don't control it," Mr. Easton said. "We are lucky enough to have the terrific service that we have. We can't do a lot beyond that, other than to say we will cooperate with any airline that comes in."
Leisure travel rates are competitive, Mr. Easton said. The more expensive flights are the business commuter routes.
The airport's 540 daily flights is an asset cited by many companies when they bring jobs to the region.
In the final analysis, Mr. Easton said, having the hubs provides benefits that a market this size wouldn't otherwise have.
"There's no way we could justify the (number of) flights that we have unless we had the hub," he said. "So Delta is a great asset to us."
