Good move for PIT

I am encouraged in reading Mark Belko's article describing Pittsburgh International Airport's plan to cut landing and passenger fees ("Fees at Airport to Be Cut Again," Feb. 14). This can only be a step in the right direction.

Jim Gill, Allegheny County Airport Authority chief financial officer, understands that our airport must begin to be considered as an economical alternative to other airports on the East Coast. It would be interesting if Mr. Belko could do a follow-up article with the passenger and landing fees of Philadelphia, Newark and Charlotte as a comparison.

As a frequent flier, it saddens me to land at "Greater Pitt" and see that there are more empty gates than occupied gates. After a very busy first 10 years, our airport has become a ghost town. The ratcheting effect of lower use and higher fees has been a downward spiral that must be curbed if the airport hopes to be a draw to business in southwestern Pennsylvania and a boost to our economy, as it was designed to be.

FRANK CULVER
Union Township