New RI Airport Ad Ruffles Top Boston Tourism Official's Feathers
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New RI Airport Ad Ruffles Top Boston Tourism Official's Feathers
The ad, running digitally and on TV, has drawn the ire of Boston’s top tourism official, Martha Cruff Sheridan.
The irony is not lost. Boston has never been shy about muscling the airlines to fly out of Logan rather than Rhode Island.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTNow, Rhode Island's airport is competing -- and the folks in Boston are not appreciating the competition.
Boston already has the second worst traffic in the country which has been further exasperated by the repair work on the Sumner Tunnel this summer.
The repair work is scheduled to return again next year.
Massachusetts transportation officials warned that traffic will be a nightmare.
"It cannot be understated," Massachusetts Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver told WBUR, adding the tunnel closure and spillover traffic will make it "very, very difficult" for those living in or regularly traveling through the area.
Boston has another big problem -- price. Logan in 2022 was named the most expensive airport for parking in the United States. It costs a whopping $203 for a week's stay. It is the 6th highest parking cost in the world.
Research from Zutobi compared parking prices at the busiest airports in every country to reveal which airport has the most expensive and cheapest parking rate for a week's stay.
In contrast, RI International can cost about one-third of the cost of Logan per week.
Sheridan Not Pleased
Sheridan, who once headed the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau before taking the top Boston job, took to social media to criticize Rhode Island International's new ad campaign.
Mix Boston's traffic troubles with Rhode Island International Airport's growth -- a record number of direct flights -- and frustration appears to be percolating in Boston.
Sheridan took to Facebook to criticize the campaign that points out Boston's weaknesses.
“While I understand the need to position the airport as a great alternative to Logan I really don’t like the approach. Logan Intl Airport, Boston is a great airport with incredible direct service to cities across the globe. Yes, Boston has traffic like every major city, but we should all work together to promote New England’s great airports collectively,” said Sheridan.
“Each has its own niche and strengths. I know I wouldn’t have been saying this five years ago but having used Logan for the past many years, I have come to appreciate its many benefits and assets,” added Sheridan.