Greensboro airport misses its runaways.

• Author: Murray, Arthur O.
• Position: TAR HEEL TATTLER

Starting in 1993, when Continental Airlines launched discount flights--since discontinued--from there, Greensboro was heaven for passengers who said the devil with higher prices at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. Charlotte officials figured it would take a miracle to get those travelers back. Believe.

Thanks to a covey of new discount airlines, Charlotte boardings in July were 14.3% higher than a year earlier. They were up 16.8% in June. But good times at Charlotte haven't been so good for Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, where boardings fell 4.8% in June and 8.3% in July.

Correlation? Absolutely, says Ted Johnson, executive director of the Greensboro airport. As a hub for US Airways, Charlotte had more direct flights but higher prices. "They now have some lowfare service in Charlotte, so I think those folks are staying at home. That's the best explanation I have."

Michelle Gunter, a travel agent at AAA Vacations in Charlotte, says customers still ask about Greensboro. But she says US Airways, which still has about 90% of the flights at Charlotte, dropped prices to compete after a trip to Chapter 11 bankruptcy court. After merging with America West and moving its headquarters from Arlington, Va., to Phoenix, US Airways bills itself now as a low-fare airline.

Meanwhile, discounters Air-Tran...