Jacksonville Aviation Authority year ahead: Spreading its wings
There won't be a lot of dramatic changes at the Jacksonville Aviation Authority in 2010, Steven Grossman's first full year as executive director.
The economic downturn probably precludes that. But you can look for a series of smaller developments - and, presumably, progress on some long-term goals.
The most visible project, says JAA spokesman Michael Stewart, will be construction work on the first floor of the Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) terminal. That will involve leveling the floor between the ticket counter and the courtyard area.
Also, there will be a lot of work - and maybe some results - on expanding domestic flights.
Stewart draws an analogy between air flight and a bicycle wheel; each has several spokes for a hub.
Travelers don't generally fly from here to a major destination, such as Los Angeles or New York.
They fly to a large airport - a hub - and make connections there.
Grossman hopes to persuade airlines to increase their flights between here and the hubs.
Hopes for Puerto Rico
The term "Jacksonville International Airport" is a misnomer since there are no regular flights overseas - only occasional chartered trips.
That could change next year.
Three airlines that use JAX have flights to San Juan from other airports. "We'll try to get them to use our airport, too," Stewart said.
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/editorials/2009-12-09/story/jacksonville_aviation_authority_year_ahead_spreading_its_wings
I certainly have no problem with pursuing this route, but I wasn't aware that Puerto Rico was a sovereign nation.
Yeah it's international cause they talk funny there.
International? For Jax it is.
Puerto Rico (Rich Port) has an identity crises; they want to be American but then they're really not and really don't want to be but are in fact a commonwealth. Why don't we just let them go and watch them rot (our tax dollars still go into Puerto Rico).
"HU"
Well San Juan is one of Jacksonville's sister cities.
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/San-Juan-PR-March-2009/DSC0131/666280784_w3tdk-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/San-Juan-PR-March-2009/DSC0153/666285422_Duc4j-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/San-Juan-PR-March-2009/DSC0195/666291739_9f4rN-M.jpg)
(http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/San-Juan-PR-March-2009/DSC0220/666278107_D82VX-M.jpg)
I like Pueto Rico. Baby steps, baby...