Research
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Commercial Aviation in North Carolina
Aviation has long been an interest of mine. The commercial air transport system in our country is a large and important one. North Carolina has an extensive system of aviation and was the birth place of commercial aviation when the Wright brothers first flew their plane in Kitty Hawk. There are three major airports and several smaller ones in the state. Many airlines have had a significant presence here as well. North Carolina's role in commercial aviation is important and plays an important role in the larger system nationwide. It is interesting to learn about aviation history and its effects. Where does North Carolina rank in the United States in terms of commercial aviation activity? People of North Carolina and travelers around the country may be interested in learning about commercial aviation in our state. Otherpotential audiences would include industry professionals, enthusiasts, and general aviation pilots.
UNC Library Catalog: Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis: Search Engine on Web <http://www.google.com/>.:
print: Jones, Geoff. The Big Six: US Airlines. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing, 2000. HE9803.A4 P66 2000 "Trunkline carrier domestic passenger enplanements", Washington, Civil Aeronautics Board. C 31.266/2 non-print: Jet Roar: produced by Environmental Protection Agency, 14 min., National Audiovisual Center, 1982, videocassette. EP 1.48/2:J 51
Section III Hamilton, Martha M. (1989) New USAir is off to a Flying Start. The Washington Post (August 7) [newspaper]. Levere, Jane. (2001) As Midway Airlines Retrenches, the Competition Intensifies. The New York Times (August 16) [newspaper]. Kahn, Salina. (2001) Fliers go the Distance to Avoid Paying High Airfares. USA Today (June 26) [newspaper]. Mahoney, Michelle. (1994) It's Old West vs. New South: Why Continental Chose Greensboro. The Denver Post (May 22) [newspaper]. Salpukas, Agis. (1993) Changing Course at American Airlines. The New York Times (April 25) [newspaper]. Schmit, Julie. (1995) Continental is Trimming its Lite Service. USA Today (January 13) [newspaper].
- Division of Aviation source: NC Department of Transportation - Federal Aviation Administration source: Federal Aviation Administration - Raleigh/Durham International Airport source: RDU Airport Authority - Piedmont Triad International Airport source: Piedmont Triad Airport Authority - Charlotte International Airport source: Airport Advisory Committee
Commercial aviation in North Carolina plays a major role in our state's economy. Three large airports serve millions of travelers and many secondary airports provide service to those living in all corners of our state. All three of our largest airports have been or currently are hubs for major airlines: American, Continental, Midway, and US Airways. A hub is the connecting point which allows travelers to arrive from "spoke" cities and connect to other destinations. A hub also requires a strong percentage of passengers that originate in that city in order to succeed. Being the birthplace of aviation has brought fame to North Carolina. It is also the birthplace and headquarters of airlines past and present as well. Piedmont Airlines was founded and flourished in our state before being sold to USAir. Midway Airlines moved their headquarters here and had a strong operation before going out of business recently. North Carolinians travel for both business and pleasure as do all other travelers around the globe. They rely on a competitive and fair airline system. It is interesting to note the pricing "wars" that occur due to the arrival of new airlines, such as Southwest at RDU and Air Tran at GSO. Fortress hubs, such as CLT, also have a significant effect of theprice of a ticket. Many travelers will depart from an airport farther from home to seek out the cheaper tickets. This type of predatory pricing by airlines is "fair game" in the business world, but is always kept under check by government agencies to allow an equal chance for airlines to fairly compete for passengers as well. Traveling by air for many can seem dull, stressful, and scary. But for others, it is an efficient and enjoyable mode of transportation on which our society depends. The commercial system of air travel in North Carolina continues to thrive and connect North Carolinians with our nation and our globe.
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