chonetsao wrote:MLIAA wrote:Whatever the distance, PIE is not Tampa, TPA is Tampa. SFB isn’t Orlando, MCO is Orlando and SFB is Sanford.
I think you are very wrong, and just trying to argue for the argument sake. 14 miles are within any metropolitan limit. PIE and TPA both serve Tampa Bay area. Again, I have said I won't comment on MCO/SFB as I don't know the area. So no need to bring that up again.
Moreover, PIE and TPA are both considered as Tampa Bay area airport. The circumstances are very different from let us say ONT and LAX or SJC and SFO. If you like we can continue debating on this issue for pages long. For residence in western Tampa bay residence, and for tourists to Clearwater beach, PIE is more convenient.
I’m not saying they’re separate metros or that PIE isn’t convenient. I’m saying they’re not the same airports. Tampa is Tampa, PIE isn’t Tampa, Tampa is Tampa and St Pete is St Pete. It’s close, but it’s not the same.
Like saying Southwest has a base in San Francisco; it’s in Oakland. Not the same.
Anyway, Norse Atlantic: expanding like crazy on untested and potentially thin routes.