Southwest has been the domestic standard-bearer for how to properly run a profitable, customer-friendly low-cost carrier. Where so many others have failed, Southwest continues to not only thrive, but influence the whole industry.

In Europe, the business model is somewhat different. Carriers like Ryanair and easyJet whisk travelers across Europe for fares as low as £5.00 (plus tax and fees). The catch is that your seat may not recline, you have to pay to actually speak with someone in customer service (email is free), it may cost as much as £8.00 to check a bag, and on-board services cost extra.

But if you’re interested in getting from London (Stanstead) to Milano (Bergamo) for ten bucks, you might be willing to put up with all that. Note that London’s airport isn’t Gatwick or Heathrow, and Milano’s isn’t Linate or Malpensa. To get from London’s Victoria Station to Stanstead airport is a 75 minute bus ride. To get from Milano’s central station to Bergamo airport takes 60 minutes.

Construction of the oft-discussed new passenger terminal at Niagara Falls International Airport has cleared a crucial milestone.

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority’s board of commissioners Monday unanimously approved awarding the construction contract to the Walter S. Johnson Building Co. Inc., of Niagara Falls. Johnson was the lowest of three bidders, coming with a price of $26.7 million or $1.3 million than the NFTA had originally budgeted for the construction of the 69,430-square-foot terminal.

Work is expected to start in the spring, with the new terminal slated to welcome its first passengers in the summer of 2009.