MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - Sick and tired of sky-high airfares at Memphis International Airport? The people who run the airport want to hear from you. Before you get your hopes up though, one airline consultant says you should know a few things before packing a suitcase full of complaints.
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority, Greater Memphis Chamber, and the Memphis Convention & Visitor's Bureau will host an hour-long forum Thursday at Christian Brothers University.
"We think this is going to be a great opportunity to get the real information out," said Larry Cox, President and CEO of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority.
There isn't any secret that many budget-minded travelers tend to avoid Memphis International Airport.
"We have driven all the way to St. Louis to not go through Memphis," said Kem Drake, as she waited for a flight to Europe on Tuesday evening.
Drake says the only reason she was flying out of Memphis was because she was traveling on a group study-abroad trip.
"Whenever we are flying we compare prices and we rarely, rarely, come here," she said.
In fact, about 70 percent of passengers at the airport are just in town to catch a connecting flight. Experts say Memphis simply doesn't have the passenger demand to support all these flights on its own, leading to higher fares.
"We are working to get more air service and lower airfares," said Cox.
The forum is set for this Thursday, June 14th, from 10:30 a.m. To 11:30 a.m. in the University Theater. Attendees will be able to submit questions for the panel to address.
"Having these meetings when you get together, it is all so much smoke and mirrors," said Michael Boyd, an airport consultant and founder of Boyd Group International.
"You are not going to find a solution to a situation like this, it is what it is," Boyd said.
