Of the multitude of favorable impressions I have of my new home, Waco, I’ve had one unsettling surprise: That more Central Texans are not taking advantage of the competitive airfares to almost anywhere in the world from Waco Regional Airport.
Consider: The current 14-day advance purchase fares from Waco to such cities as Orlando; Chicago; Washington, D.C.; or Kansas City on American Airlines range from $2 to $41 less than flying directly from Dallas to those locations.
These differences are more significant when you factor in the cost and hassle of driving 100 miles from Waco to Dallas.
At the government allowance of 51 cents per mile for vehicle operation and depreciation, the cost of driving to Dallas quickly can exceed $100. When you factor in the free parking available at Waco Regional versus the $14-$28 a day rate at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the cost difference is quite significant.
One can find similar fare savings flying Continental Connection from Waco to Houston, as compared to flying directly from Houston. The 14-day fare from Waco to Orlando by way of Houston is $4 less than flying directly from Houston; the fare from Houston to Atlanta is only $19 more than flying from Waco to Houston to Atlanta.
An example of how these totals can add up is found in a ticket survey for Waco Regional for the first quarter of 2008. Of 924 tickets reviewed, 15 percent went to people who drove to Dallas to fly to Kansas City, Mo. A similar percentage drove to Dallas to fly to Los Angeles. While these people saved some $5,500 in ticket prices, they spent an estimated $16,600in automobile operating and DFW parking costs.
Most significantly, those going to Dallas joined the 80,000 other motorists driving Interstate 35 daily. According to state transportation officials, the average daily flow between Waco and Dallas has grown 30 percent in the five years ending in 2007. The accident rate has increased 37 percent.
Perhaps the most interesting statistic gleaned from our ticket survey is that some 70 percent of Central Texans flying from Waco go only to Dallas for a day or more of business, shopping and recreation, then return to Waco.
These individuals have added it all up: The benefits of free parking, convenient location, and a comfortable holding room outweigh the hassle, hidden costs and potential delays of driving. |
