Save Lambert, Kill Concourse C

On the night of April 22nd, 2011, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Terminal 1 was struck by a an EF-2 tornado (video). This disaster, coupled with the May 13th failure of the Aerotropolis Tax Credit package to incentivize a Chinese freight hub provides an important opportunity to consider the future of Lambert airport.

Lambert, currently the 31st largest passenger airport in the nation, is the victim of the collapse of TWA and a continual reduction of flights by American Airlines. In 2005 alone, Lambert’s operating income plunged by 71% due in part to AA’s decision to reduce flights from 421 to 207. Lambert derives its income from a combination of fixed-rate passenger fees, concessions, parking, gate leases, and landing fees.