$99 Dallas flights may be offered soon
Proposed partnership would bring airline service to Victoria airport
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Flights to Dallas from Victoria for $99 one-way may soon be a reality.
On Tuesday, representatives of Small Community Airlines, Inc. and Better Airports, LLC, told about 50 people at the weekly Victoria Partnership meeting that they have been discussing the possibility of bringing air service to the Victoria Regional Airport.
For the flights to Dallas to become a reality, a public and private partnership has to be reached between the airport and the county and its potential partners. An initial up-front investment of $300,000 for the first year is required.
"We're listening," said Victoria County Judge Don Pozzi. "If the county had a partner, be it the city, business or industry to assume some of that up-front risk certainly I think it would come a lot closer to making it work. This is a good business plan. It's doable. I think it makes sense for the community."
Pozzi also stressed the decision wouldn't be his alone.
"I've got a commissioners court and an airport commission, and we're very cognizant of public sentiment and the spending of taxpayer dollars," he said. "We're going to continue to look at this and look at it very seriously. If this is something the community is interested in it and the community wants it. From my perspective we need community support and soon."
Lewis McPherson, president of Small Community Airlines, explained that the company's application for certification has been accepted by the Federal Aviation Administration and hopes the application process will be completed within the next six weeks.
"I think we could have flights going out of here by late spring if everything comes together," McPherson said.
Currently the airline has a fleet of three Jetstream 31 airliners, a 19-seat, propeller driven aircraft.
"They are more fuel efficient and can fly up to 25,000 feet," explained William Foster of Better Airports, LLC, which would manage the program if it comes to fruition. "You can stand up in it. Once you get on it, you'll like it."
Under the proposed plan, the airport would guarantee 10 passengers per flight on two round trips per day at $99 each way. The number of passengers would be averaged during the month to reach the needed total of 600 seats sold per month to make the plan work economically.
SCA is based at Dallas' Love Field, but could also fly into Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport if that is the agreement reached.
"The airport, and its partners, can decide where you fly, and what times of day you fly.
You'll participate in all those decisions," said McPherson.
Discussions Tuesday included weekday flights to Dallas and possible weekend flights to Lake Charles, La., to visit the casinos.
Foster praised airport manager Larry Blackwell for staying in touch the last couple of years.
"Larry Blackwell has always made sure that Victoria was on the front-burner of the minds of the airline that wants to expand into small communities. This day and time there are not many airlines that want to expand into small communities," Foster said.
"We want people to think about going to the airport to go somewhere, not the highway," McPherson said.
A $300,000 investment
To get the Small Community Airlines air service at Victoria Regional Airport, off the ground, $300,000 in up-front money is needed from the public and private partners such as Victoria County, the city of Victoria, and private ...
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A $300,000 investment
To get the Small Community Airlines air service at Victoria Regional Airport, off the ground, $300,000 in up-front money is needed from the public and private partners such as Victoria County, the city of Victoria, and private partners including industry. Better Airports is responsible for the marketing and public relations campaign.
The agreement would be a one-year contract renewed annually. Either the airport or the airlines can cancel the contract with 90 days notice.
Comments
Something about this doesn't smell right. First of all there is no guarantee that spending $300K of taxpayer $ with this airline will ensure that the airport meets the required number of passengers to get the federal million dollars. Second, while a direct flight to Dallas would be great if you need it, $198 round trip flight isn't exactly a bargin to me and likely won't be used they folks hope it will. Finally, it's interesting that this story has such a positive spin on it. I guess it helps when the paper's editor is on the airport board.
January 22, 2009 at 6:28 p.m.Rage your cracking me up. I have uncovered secret documents that indicate Victorians are planning to use these cheap fares and send all our criminals and gang bangers to Dallas, similar to Fidel Castros dumping his garbage on the US many years ago.
January 21, 2009 at 8:06 p.m.Let's see the county just lost a $1,000,000 federal grant for not enough people flying out of Victoria Regional Airport.
First of all, I would like to see demonstrated evidence of the need and demand for this service.
Then I would think it would be reasonable for the county to invest the $300,000 if it resulted in getting the $1,000,000 grant back.
If my math is correct that would amount to a net gain of $700,000 for the county.
It would cost the county alot more than $300,000 for any improvements needed at the airport due to the lost fed funds.
January 21, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.DO IT! This area needs a flight to the metroplex. Look at Austin too!!! This will help the Generals as thier competition is in the Dallas area as well other sports teams, not to mention business travel.
January 20, 2009 at 9:52 p.m.That would be awesome.
January 20, 2009 at 7:41 p.m.