Things in the Sky

The St. Louis Business Journal reports:

Lambert-St. Louis International Airport commissioners on Wednesday approved an expanded $1.67 million incentives package to encourage airlines to add flights and destinations.

Incentive programs are relatively common, and St. Louis has had similar offerings in the past. But this latest announcement comes as American announced a few weeks ago that St. Louis would lose even more flying, essentially eliminating any semblance of its past hub status.

The amount of assistance varies on the carrier and route. For example, a brand new carrier to the airport will get a better package than an airline that starts a new nonstop. In addition, some routes will get more assistance. For example, new transoceanic flights will get a longer waiver on rent and landing fees.

Will St. Louis ever look like it did as a TWA hub? Probably not. But one has to give the airport credit for actively looking for new service to fill the void that American has left behind.