Airlines Cutting Back On Local Flights

Tulsa International Airport may be smaller and less affected by airline losses, but we've got our own share of issues.  Six in the Morning's Carina Sonn reports if you've tried to fly out of TIA recently, you may have noticed the number of flights are shrinking.

Tulsa's airport is just one of hundreds seeing a decrease in the number of seats available and in just a few months, that number is expected to go down, again.

The headline says it all: "Airlines finding new ways to pinch pennies, air travel grounds enthusiasm."

Every year, millions travel by plane for business or fun and now those travelers, some already frustrated by delays, rate hikes and extra charges, may have a harder time getting in the air.

Jason Wilson lives in Brazil and makes the trip back to Tulsa three or four times a year to see family. 

"The availability is a problem, I've been looking a little on the internet for my ticket back and I haven't been able to find anything," said Wilson.

Alexis Higgins with the Tulsa Airport Authority says Jason's situation is typical.

"When you get on an airplane going out of Tulsa, more than likely that plane is going to be pretty full or near full and it's going to be a little more difficult for those last minute travelers," said Higgins.

The high cost of jet fuel is to blame for the decrease in capacity and the number of seats being offered, especially to tourist destinations.    

Hawaii alone will cut 30% of its flights by November of this year, compared to last November. Oklahoma is fortunate to only see a 15% cut.

"At our peak we were about 83 flights a day, at the peak we were about 7,000 seats a day. Right now, we are down to about 75 flights a day and at about 6,500 seats a day," said Higgins.

That number is expected to drop off even more in the fall to 67 flights a day.

Officials say all of the airlines are looking to become more efficient. Unfortunately the easiest option is to continue to hit passengers in the pocketbook.

"We can't fly as much. I mean we drive to our vacation destinations a little more, or we're planning on doing that," said Chari Mason.

If you're planning a trip anytime soon, the key is to getting a relatively cheap seat is to book early.

"If you know you want to go back east for the holidays, then put a fare watcher on it and it will alert you when the fare's at one of its lowest prices," said Higgins.

Sites like farecast.com and airfarewatchdog.com are two of the best. Higgins also recommends using a travel agent to see if they can find you a better deal. Also, book at least 21-days in advance.

A lesson Wilson may learn the hard way, after he recovers from this latest plane ride.

"About a 14-hour trip and my knees are in pain and my butt's hurting. I'll go home and probably sleep it off the rest of the day," said Wilson.        

Hopefully it'll give him enough energy to look for his next ticket, and possibly the next pain in the neck.

There is a ray of good news, Tulsa International says it's communicating with the airlines about the local economy and need for more flights, all in hopes that when things return to normal economically, airlines will re-implement service to the area.  Officials are confident that will happen.