Bradley Agreement (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 06, 2000	Dec. 31, 2012 item	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Deficiency payments
Deficiency payments:
Balance at the beginning of the year		$ 13,407	$ 12,070
Deficiency payments made		1,658	1,716
Deficiency payments received		(467)	(379)
Balance at the end of the year		14,598	13,407
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement
Agreement
Agreement period with the State of Connecticut for operation of parking spaces	25 years
Number of garage parking spaces at Bradley International Airport operated		3,500
Annual minimum guaranteed payment to the State by the trustee		10,375	10,162
Deficiency payments:
Maximum premium percentage on initial deficiency payment		10.00%
Period after notification to deliver deficiency amount to trustee		3 days
Deficiency payments (net of repayments received)		1,191	1,337
Premium income on deficiency payment received from trustee		0	54
Interest income on deficiency payment received from trustee		85	256
Compensation
Number of operating profit tiers		3
Management fee apportioned to the entity (as a percent)		60.00%
Management fee apportioned to an un-affiliated entity (as a percent)		40.00%
Unrecognized cumulative management fees		9,000
Management fees		0	0	0
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | Low end of the range
Agreement
Annual minimum guaranteed payment to the State by the trustee		8,300
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | High end of the range
Agreement
Annual minimum guaranteed payment to the State by the trustee		13,200
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | State of Connecticut special facility revenue bonds
Agreement
Revenue bonds issued	53,800
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | State of Connecticut special facility revenue bonds | Low end of the range
Agreement
Annual principal and interest on revenue bonds		3,600
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | State of Connecticut special facility revenue bonds | High end of the range
Agreement
Annual principal and interest on revenue bonds		4,500
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | Non-taxable series A bonds
Agreement
Revenue bonds issued	47,700
Bradley International Airport parking facilities operating agreement | Taxable series B bonds
Agreement
Revenue bonds issued	$ 6,100