Flightserv plan offers hope for regional airport

News of a possible deal between Flightserv, Inc., and the Western Reserve Port Authority to restore regular but limited passenger air service to the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport merits cautious optimism.
Any initiative, however small, that seeks to revive commercial service to the Vienna Township facility warrants optimism, hope and broad-based support. The facility has been without commercial passenger service since October 2002.
Reasons for optimism
There is reason for optimism in the short-term potential the airline offers. According to preliminary plans, Atlanta-based Flightserv would provide four flights weekly to Sanford, Fla. (near Orlando) and two flights weekly to Myrtle Beach, S.C., on 122-seat Boeing 737-200 aircraft beginning as early as March. One-way fares of about $100 are being considered, a port authority official said.
There is also reason for optimism in the ability of the airport to capitalize on its assets.
"There are certain advantages to smaller airports," said Cary Evans, Flightserv executive vice president. "Parking, security, convenience, and you don't have to travel to another city to get where you are going."
In addition, the airport has received more than $40 million in improvements in recent years. Restoration of successful commercial service would represent a tangible payoff for that investment.
Further, there is reason for optimism in Flightserv's potential to become an income producer. If the airline helps to lift the annual passenger count to above 10,000, the regional airport's chances of securing a $1 million annual federal grant would be greatly increased, officials say.
If Flightserv's service takes off, the airport could market that success to entice other airlines to seriously consider setting up shop or re-establishing service in the Mahoning Valley.
Caution
Tempered with this optimism, however, must be a healthy dose of caution and realism. In itself, Flightserv will be no panacea for all of the airport's woes. The deal has not been inked yet. The proposed destinations are limited. Habits of the flying public may be difficult to change. The track record of luring and retaining carriers in the Valley has not been stellar.
Nonetheless, the service proposed by Flightserv represents one small first step toward making the airport commercially viable once again. Port authority and airport officials ought to do all possible to make sure this promising plan takes off as quickly and as successfully as possible.