The results of a study regarding the operations of Toledo Express Airport reveal that “in the last two decades the air carrier airport has been in decline from an activity and revenue standpoint.”
Conducted by Campbell-Hill Aviation Group of Washington D.C., the study looked at the effectiveness of airport operations, including its financial performance, governance and business activity.
The consultants incorporated public data, interviews with city and county officials, historic travel patterns, discussions with civil leaders, airline service trends, analysis of the airport’s financial reports and surveys of business and leisure travelers in the greater Toledo area.
In their conclusions and recommendations, Campbell-Hill Aviation noted “with only a single network carrier, the risk for Toledo Express and the community it serves is the lack of connectivity to global networks.”
The report suggests that this “should be viewed as an unacceptable risk to the Toledo market.”
They recommend Toledo, Lucas County and the port authority consider adding dedicated aviation resources with a focus on enhancing revenues, increasing consumer engagement and providing full-time air service development, marketing and communications for the airport.
The report describes the airport as “understaffed in key positions” and believes that if left unfilled, it will result in degraded services and performance of the airport, making “recovery significantly more difficult and expensive.”
Campbell-Hill recommends four additions. They are in order of priority:
•Airport properties manager–creative property management can enhance revenues. A dedicated manager can work on new revenue streams and other business opportunities and manage existing leases in the terminal building and outside of the terminal complex.
•Airport air service and marketing manager–air service is critical to the success of any air carrier airport. The manager can lead a consultant team, attend air service conferences, schedule visits to airline corporate offices, develop and maintain relationships with airline planners and keep Toledo Express top of mind with airline planners.
The manager can be a valuable resource in determining what actions need taken locally to better engage consumers and grow air service.
•Airport director–would provide dedicated, full-time focus on airport issues. Working with support staff, the director would oversee development of a future vision for the airport and be involved in the business with a goal of substantially increasing revenue.
The report notes that the port authority’s executive director is the only staff member with oversight over the entire airport business function. And because the executive director is involved in many activities, it limits the amount of time spent on the airport.
•Business plans–to generate revenue, it is recommended the port authority develop a detailed five-year plan for Toledo Express and Toledo Executive, formerly known as Metcalf field. It would look at strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for revenue generation and should be updated every three to five years.
The study concluded, “implementing these recommendations will provide the city and port with valuable insight, at the time of the next airport lease renewal. Given that seven years remaining on the port lease to run the airport, no change in governance is recommended at this time.”
Historical Background
Passenger service at Toledo Express has fallen significantly over the past 20 years. At its peak the airport offered flights from American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and U.S. Airways.
In 2004 Delta and U.S. Airways exited with Continental leaving four years later. In 2011 Delta followed suit.
Several small carriers came and went including Air-Tran Airways, Sun Country, Direct Air and Vision. Allegiant entered in 2006 and has maintained service since that time.
The airport ended 2019–a record year for the domestic flight industry–down 83 percent from its peak in 2003.
Since 2012, the airport has only had a single network carrier, American Airlines, and one ultra low cost carrier, Allegiant.
The limited service makes Toledo Express vulnerable, particularly should it lose American Airlines, which offers service to Chicago and resulting network connectivity, according to the study.
