Aug. 20--Long Beach Airport opened its new $45 million concourse in December to generally rave reviews.
Travelers interviewed at the airport give high marks to the ease of security screening, which even at peak periods usually takes under 10 minutes. They like the light, airy feel of the new building, the iPad bar and local food favorites like George's Greek Cafe, 4th Street Vine Wine & Beer Bar and McKenna's on the Fly.
But the airport has hit a little turbulence with JetBlue, its biggest carrier, which accounts for three out of four flights. The airline has cut some of its seasonal service in Long Beach to Las Vegas; Anchorage, Alaska; Oakland; Seattle; and Portland, Ore., to redirect aircraft to other markets where it's expanding. As a result, passenger traffic at Long Beach declined this year by nearly 173,000, or 9 percent, through July.
Airport Executive Director Mario Rodriguez plays down the shortfall as one of the periodic ups and downs of aviation. He points to the longer-term trend that shows 5.1 percent more travelers have used the airport so far this year than during the same period five years ago. He said the airport is heading into its busiest season and expects to end the year with only a slight dip in traffic.
The airport remains in strong financial shape, and the decline hasn't affected the airport's ability to pay off its bonds, Rodriguez said.
Brett Snyder, a Long Beach resident and author of the CrankyFlier.com blog, said JetBlue is simply being more strategic in its operations and is cutting flights during off-peak times.
"They are sculpting their schedule," Snyder said. "But they haven't given up any slots."
JetBlue flew 2.6 percent fewer Long Beach passengers in July, but flights were 88 percent full, the airport reported. JetBlue did not return calls for comment.
Meanwhile, travelers continue to rate the airport highly.
"I fly into Long Beach because I love flying here," said Debbie Bullard during a recent trip from her home in Rocklin, near Sacramento. "It's easy to get in and out of."
Over the past few years, other Southern California airports have launched new terminals and facility upgrades.
In November 2011, John Wayne Airport in Orange County completed a $543 million project, which included the new Terminal C, an adjacent parking structure and new restaurants.
Los Angeles International Airport is in the middle of a multiyear $4 billion program that included the completion in June of a $737 million upgrade and expansion of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
Long Beach isn't done with improvements. Rodriguez said planning has begun for the next phase, which will be introduced in stages through 2016. Those changes will include:
-A new rental car facility just north of the terminal.
-A new ground-transportation center where the rental-car trailer currently is located.
-Restoration of the historic terminal to its original 1940s look.
-Parking Lot A improvements.
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