CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Who gains the most from turning Charlotte-Douglas International Airport into a regional authority? It appears to be U.S. Airways as it merges with American Airlines.
The soon-to-be largest airline in the world?likes Charlotte, as long as it remains to its liking.
"What I know is that under city control to date, its been fantastic," said U.S. Airways CEO Doug Parker, speaking to reporters during a visit to the airline's largest hub.
Parker says he loves Charlotte. It's not just a great city, but the flying business for U.S. Airways is also profitable.
"If Charlotte were to lose its low cost, it absolutely would affect flying in and out of the hub, there's no doubt about it."
The airline operates 90 percent of the nearly 700 daily flights out of Charlotte.
It pays around $17 million to lease the gates and receives almost $10.5 million in "non airline terminal revenue." Its money travelers pay to park or buy food at the airport.
"The best model by far has been Charlotte," said Parker.
Yet, in the fight for control between an airport managed by Charlotte city council or a regional authority established by the Republican-led General Assembly, the boss says he's not taking sides.
"It doesn't make an enormous difference," said Parker, "so long as who's in charge of those models has the right goals."
Thursday afternoon, city council began the process of having a consulting firm study the legislature's plan to take over the airport.
Interim city manager Julie Burch told reporters the city council committee leading the effort will ensure that the study will be as independent and unbiased as possible.
"The city is now open to having some participation from our business partner and our best customer," said Charlotte City Councilman Andy Dulin.
That would be U.S. Airways, at first told last year it wouldn't have a say in picking airport director Jerry Orr's replacement once he retires.?
But Parker made it clear the airline expects to have a large voice in the process.
City leaders wish U.S. Airways would also speak out about who will control the airport. By staying quite, it appears to some Parker has chosen a side.
"All of this is about how we move forward in a profitable way for the citizens of Charlotte," said Dulin.
Parker also talked about ticket prices and jobs. Despite creating the world's largest airline through a merger, the future American Airline insists fares wont rise.
Afterwards, the 7100 employees based in Charlotte can expect no job cuts.
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