Port authority prepares to sell new Youngstown-Chicago flights

By Ed Runyan

runyan@vindy.com

VIENNA

Within a couple of weeks, Aerodynamics Inc. expects to begin selling tickets for flights between Chicago and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport that are likely to begin in early May.

The airline, which recently got approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to offer the flights, still has some safety and operational issues to finalize with the FAA before it can set an official start date, said Dan Dickten, Youngstown’s director of aviation.

The company is proposing 10 flights per week between Youngstown and Chicago O’Hare International Airport on 50-passenger aircraft. Dickten said the goal will be take people to Chicago, where they can connect with flights to anywhere in the world – “an option people haven’t had in 14 years.”

A target date for the flights to begin is May 2, and a target date to begin selling tickets is March 3, Dickten said.

To begin marketing the service, the Western Reserve Port Authority, which runs the local airport, on Wednesday approved paying up to $15,000 to Palo Creative of Youngstown to begin to run a media campaign. Other funding will be finalized in the coming weeks.

Rob Palowitz, Palo owner, is proposing a year-long campaign costing about $150,000.

Palo would make $45,515, with $103,600 being spent on radio, billboard, cable television, print, digital media, email and social media.

Several board members questioned the types of media being proposed: Three sister radio stations in the Youngstown market would earn $31,200, but print advertising would be only $4,000 and local television, zero.

Palowitz said his company’s experience is that digital marketing through programs such as Google pay-per-click can be especially effective because many people use their smart phone as their main media source.

But Ron Klingle, the port authority chairman and owner of Avalon Holdings Inc., said he believes most people get their news from the daily newspaper and TV.

Anthony Trevena, the port authority’s economic-development director, said he thinks people booking connecting flights in Chicago will be “pretty digitally savvy,” which makes digital options good.

Palowitz said his team can adjust the proposal to include more TV and newspaper options.

When asked for the specific themes that would be used, Palowitz pointed to three phrases – “Fly anywhere,” “Chicago flights now booking” and “Ultimate convenience and savings.” But board member Sam Covelli, owner of Covelli Enterprises, said the message needs to be more specific as to the features that will be most attractive.

The campaign should give specific comparisons of parking fees, wait times, other aspects of convenience, air fares and other costs, Covelli said. “We could be throwing money away if we don’t have a good message,” he said.

The campaign will begin before people can book flights, Palowitz said. He agreed to provide more-specific information in the coming weeks.