Wednesday, July 21, 2004
The airline offers two Hooters girls on each flight.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
VIENNA -- Hooters Air is negotiating with local officials to start service from the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.
However, the Atlanta-based airline is not the primary target of the Western Reserve Port Authority's campaign to lure new service to the airport, officials said today.
Last month, the port authority appropriated $150,000 to help market and promote flights for a "name-brand" airline that could have connected the local airport to the National Air Transportation System, meaning it could offer tickets that include transfers to other airlines.
Conversations with that airline have slowed down, said interim airport director Steve Bowser.
"It hasn't stopped," he said. "It is still ongoing."
Hooters Air is not part of the National Air Transportation System, but would offer transfers within its own system, Bowser said.
"This is not now concrete," said Bill Reali, port authority chairman. He said a public announcement would be made if a deal is finalized.
Hooters is one of several airlines involved in ongoing discussions, officials said.
About the company
Hooters Air, operated by the same company that runs the Hooters restaurant franchise, flies to Myrtle Beach, S.C., Fort Myers, Fla., and Nassau, Bahamas, from Columbus, Atlanta, Newark and Baltimore.
The airline promises two "Hooters girls" on each of its Boeing 737 aircraft, according to the company Web site.
The single company offering flights out of the local airport, Vacation Express, has been attracting passengers with regular service to Myrtle Beach and Sanford, Fla., Bowser said.
"The numbers are good for a new service," he said.
In keeping with initial plans, the Vacation Express is expected to suspend Myrtle Beach flights in September, Bowser said. They are expected to resume for golf season, he said.
Port authority board members learned today that Trumbull County businessman Martin Solomon has resigned from the board, citing other demands on his time.
Solomon, who has served on the board since 1997, was an appointee of Trumbull County commissioners. Trumbull and Mahoning commissioners each make four appointments to the eight-member board.
With Solomon's resignation there are two vacancies on the board, one from each county.