Number of airlines serving JFK vs LHR vs FRA

[phil-s]

One  of the reasons ATC at KJFK is so interesting is the huge number of regularly scheduled airlines that use the airport. I counted about 70 total, not counting charter companies. I then checked LHR and was surprised to see the number up around 90. And FRA topped out at about 115! Is there list of major airports somewhere with number of airlines served? Does anyone know if FRA takes top spot? Others that might give it a run are Narita, K-L, Hong Kong, CDG and Amsterdam.

Just curious-- JFK povides more than enough interest and excitement.

Thanks, Phil

[MathFox]

I would add Singapore, SFO and LAX to the list of contenders too.

I guess it depends on how you count:

• Scheduled passenger flights only or do you include scheduled freight?
• What constitutes an airline (Count NW and Delta as two, or just one?)
• Do you count "code share presence" as presence?

To get a consistent (comparable) count you'ld need to lay down some rules.

Amsterdam was interesting last night with the showers they had: 50-60 knot winds, heavy rain, hail...

[phil-s]

Well, since we're presumably all interested in ATC I'd include anything scheduled (i.e. include freight), and just go by call signs. Ie code shares don't affect call signs so don't worry about them. When Cactus took over USAir, except when someone forgot, we then went from 2 to one airline. Likewise as long as Delta and NW are using separate call signs, they count as 2. But I'd restrict it to "scheduled" which could be hard to determine.  As for the lists I looked at, I have my doubts as to whether all of the airlines listed for FRA actually maintain a schedule (some may not even still exist).  As for LAX, one site lists 55 passenger airlines (http://www.ifly.com/los-angeles-international-airport/airlines-served). Add to that say 10 freight only and it still doesn't come out near LHR or FRA. I'd guess SFO is even farther down the list but Singapore might be worth a look. 

[NY Z Pilot]

Are you counting the regionals, or just associating them with mainline?

[MathFox]

I can go with phil-s; counting scheduled flights by call-sign. I'ld like to refine the scheduled with "at least one flight per week". Police, medical and coast guard traffic does not count. Consequently, Singapore and SinCargo count as different airlines, but if call signs for passenger and freight are the same, the airline is only counted once.

[cessna157]

Wow, I've never seen a fairly easy question become so complex.  Are you guys in politics?

[bjen9337]

No, I suspect they are not. But they did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!

[phil-s]

Definitely not politics. Would academia explain anything?

[MathFox]

I retired from politics, but still am a Mathematician. From my politics background I know how "performance indicators" are abused; as a Mathematician I am very sensitive to holes in a definition.
For "number of airlines serving" there are several good, but subtly different definitions; in the end each gives a good, but slightly different ranking. However when you count with different definitions for different airports you can not (validly) compare the numbers. (JFK with freight is more than FRA without freight; what does that mean for ranking JFK vs FRA?)

[joeyb747]

No, I suspect they are not. But they did stay at a Holiday Inn last night!

HA HA! That's funny!

[joeyb747]

One  of the reasons ATC at KJFK is so interesting is the huge number of regularly scheduled airlines that use the airport. I counted about 70 total, not counting charter companies. I then checked LHR and was surprised to see the number up around 90. And FRA topped out at about 115! Is there list of major airports somewhere with number of airlines served? Does anyone know if FRA takes top spot? Others that might give it a run are Narita, K-L, Hong Kong, CDG and Amsterdam.

Just curious-- JFK povides more than enough interest and excitement.

Thanks, Phil

Most airpots have their own website. Below is the website for KDTW, just for example:

http://www.metroairport.com/airlines/

Here is KJFK:

http://www.panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/ken_airlines.html

Here is Frankfurt Main(EDDF):

http://www.frankfurt-airport.com/cms/default/rubrik/26/26281.airlines_az.html

Etc...

[MathFox]

Amsterdam (EHAM) shows 96 passenger airlines on http://www.schiphol.nl/Vluchtinfo/Luchtvaartmaatschappijen.htm
A quick scan found at least 6 freight flights from companies not on the passenger airline list.

[delta092b]

For Heathrow:

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/page/Heathrow%5EGeneral%5EOur+business+and+community%5EMedia+centre%5EFacts+and+figures/3cff846f3bba2010VgnVCM100000147e120a____/448c6a4c7f1b0010VgnVCM200000357e120a____/

[The_Duke]

Although it doesn't answer your question, this USA Today article has a bunch of interesting airport trivia:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2006-09-26-airport-numbers_x.htm