REGIONAL AIRPORT New carrier has plans to offer resort flights

The port authority will pay up to $125,000 to ensure the company breaks even.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
VIENNA -- Regularly scheduled flights from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport to airports near Orlando, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C., could start as soon as March.
Today the Western Reserve Port Authority Board, which runs the airport, empowered airport officials to sign a contract with Flightserv Inc. of Atlanta to begin offering the regularly scheduled service.
The company plans to fly 122-seat 737-200 aircraft on four flights weekly to Sanford, Fla., and two weekly to Myrtle Beach.
The number of flights to Myrtle Beach may be reduced during the off-tourist season from August to March, said Steve Bowser, airport manager. Bowser said the final contract has not been signed, but they are trying to negotiate it to be signed before Christmas.
About Flightserv
Flightserv Inc. works with tour operators, corporate travel departments, sports teams and casinos to arrange charter air transportation. The corporation also provides ground support for charters, aircraft fueling and passenger service, as well as aviation consultation and Internet reservations. It was founded in 1982.
The port authority board also agreed to pay up to $125,000 to the company to ensure that it breaks even during its first six months of operation.
"These are fun spots, and our hope is that it's going to attract a lot of people," Bowser said.
Once the airline is running, officials hope it will bring the annual number of people using the airport above the 10,000 scheduled-passenger threshold -- which would increase its chances of keeping a $1 million annual Federal Aviation Administration grant, said John Masternick, a board member.
He also said the number being discussed for a one-way ticket to Orlando is $100.
The airport plans to begin an advertising campaign to drum up passengers for the flights as soon as the deal is finalized. Bowser said some media outlets have offered free advertising to support a new airline.
Port authority officials have been trying to lure a passenger airline to the airport since the last commercial carrier pulled out in October 2002. Last year, extended negotiations were made with Golden Air, but no flights ever materialized.
Bowser said the flights could represent a great opportunity to the airport.
"It all depends on what kind of response we get. If people come for the flights, it's not going to fail."
siff@vindy.com