Long Beach Rejects LGB Customs Facility Proposal
 

Long Beach just voted against any further consideration of constructing a customs facility at LGB to allow B6 (and other airlines) to operate international flights. Since this was part of JetBlue's long term plans, it will be interesting to see how they respond, and if they begin to cut back service.

I would be very disappointed to see JetBlue start to withdraw, but it seems their hand may be forced.

Cranky did a great write-up about their decision: http://crankyflier.com/2017/01/26/lo...-jetblue-walk/

The NIMBY's (to use a polite phrase) of LGB strike again. JetBlue in all honesty would be wise to keep a couple flights out of LGB but move the majority of the operations to SNA/ONT/LAX.

This is terrible news. LGB is one of my favorite facilities in the US.

on the earning call today, they did say that they are looking into route cuts. Seeing how low some of those fares out of LGB are, good place for some quick cuts.

Same here, anytime I need to go to the LA basin, it always makes so much more sense to fly into LGB given the low fares and the ease of the airport. How many airports are there in California when you can consistently arrive at the airport 30 minutes before your flight and go from curb to the gate in 2 minutes.

That being said, I wouldn't blame B6 for leaving or scaling back at all. They've put so much into the airport and community there and just got burned. Unfortunately there's nowhere they could create a hub that has the slots available that they have at LGB. Maybe we'll see them do more point to point flying and abandon the west coast hub idea completely.

I hope B6 'rewards' them in kind with abandoning the airport. What a silly decision on LGB's part.

I smell WN...

I hope they don't abandon LGB. Flying into LAX gives me the willies.

It is a shame that the application for FIS was denied but closing down ops in LGB because of that would just be sour grapes. LGB is an outstanding facility post-renovation and an excellent west-coast hub for B6.

Honestly if B6 slows or stops servicing LGB then I will probably switch airlines. They would need massive upgrades at LAX to compete there and SNA/ONT are nonstarters given how far away they are.

Far away from whom? Not I. Would welcome more JetBlue flights from both SNA and ONT. Could put a lid on the fares to Vegas. SoWest is the only airline to have direct Vegas flights out of SNA and ONT. Love to see that from JetBlue.

B6 cannot really grow more at LGB so the only way to increase the value of the operation is to get higher yielding fares. That's where the Mexico service was going to play a role. Without that the company is flying a bunch of intra-California stuff mostly at fares too low to be a good use of resources.

I love the terminal there and hope JetBlue comes up with a way to make it work. But without the ability to expand or to grow yields it is hard to see what the future is.

Of course, far is relative, especially in Southern California. If you're going to the OC then SNA is perfect. But if your business is in LA proper, such as on the west side, beach cities/Inglewood, or downtown, then SNA or ONT is 15-20 miles further away. Even LGB is a stretch when LAX is so close.

At some point the convenience & comfort factor tilts back to LAX, which is unfortunate as LAX is neither.

I admit, it totally depends on where you are and how far you're willing to drive. Since we're talking Mexico, I know plenty of people who will drive all the way to TIJ to fly Volaris domestic.

I would love higher value service out of LGB. The terminal is a beauty. I started flying in and out of LGB years ago when the "terminal" was a shack (still was better then, than T3 @ LAX is today)

Don't get me wrong, I like the regional destinations too, but given the limited number of takeoffs from LGB I'm surprised there's not more long-hauls. B6 used to go to ORD and IAD and AA to DFW. There's only one daily to BOS. Not even a whiff of a possibility of BNA (not wanting to challenge WN?).

I'm not familiar with the LGB noise restrictions but I was cautiously optimistic that eventual adoption of the A321neo could mean significant passenger volume growth @LGB (if not more routes) within the same noise envelope.

I believe that's viable. But selling even more seats in the same low-yield markets seems unlikely to improve the economics of such sufficiently.

quite a few, actually. BUR, ONT, SNA i've been curb to gate in a few minutes

Sure, I've flown through each of these, but still maintain that LGB has the best and simplest passenger experience. Depending on where your gate is you can have quite a walk at SNA, and BUR needs an update. I'm also a sucker for boarding plans without a jet bridge, and while you do the same at BUR, you don't get the same fantastic views of the ramp that you do at LGB.