Hickory's air service hasn't taken off yet.

• Author: Willis, Dail
• Position: TAR HEEL TATTLER

Here's the story of two other Tar Heel airports in a nutshell: Kinston is getting the nut, and Hickory is getting the shell. Business travel makes the difference, and unless Hickory's numbers improve, Delta might fly away.

The two cities illustrate how even subtle differences in market composition affect air service. Both had commercial service restored this spring, and Delta flies nonstop to Atlanta three times a day from both. However, while 70% to 80% of Kinston's 120 to 150 seats per day are full, Hickory averages filling only 45% of its daily 120 seats.

Business travelers make up about half of Kinston's passengers, according to Don Howard, director of airport operations. They account for fewer than 10% of Hickory's travelers, director Tim Deike says.

That's not all. Kinston's airport, in a city of about 23,000, is surrounded by similar-sized competitors in Jacksonville, New Bern and Greenville. But those airports offer only turboprop service to US Airways' Charlotte hub. The closest big airport is Raleigh-Durham International, about a two-hour drive. That plus traffic congestion and lines for parking, baggage and boarding at RDU discourage some travelers.

Hickory is...