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Victoria's commercial air service will continue

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  • David Tewes •
  • Originally published May 21, 2009 at 5:12 p.m., updated May 22, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.

  • TRAVELERS DOWN

    Colgan Air's requested subsidy from the federal government is based on an estimated 5,700 enplanements a year.

    Victoria Regional Airport recorded nearly 1,800 enplanements this year through April. That's down from nearly 3,000 for the same period the ...

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    • TRAVELERS DOWN

    Colgan Air's requested subsidy from the federal government is based on an estimated 5,700 enplanements a year.

    Victoria Regional Airport recorded nearly 1,800 enplanements this year through April. That's down from nearly 3,000 for the same period the year before.

The Victoria Regional Airport will keep its commercial air service to Houston at least another two years.

Colgan Air has agreed to a contract with the federal government under the essential air service program, which subsidizes the flights.

The contract begins July 1 and is good for two years.

Colgan provides connecting flights to and from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport under contract to Continental Airlines. There are not enough passengers to make the flights profitable, so the U.S. Department of Transportation subsidizes the service.

The news is good for Victoria County's future, County Commissioner Kevin Janak said.

"It's very, very important that we keep these flights to help with economic development for Victoria County," he said. "With all of the upcoming, very promising projects for Victoria, keeping the air service and keeping the airport open is vital to this county."

County Judge Don Pozzi said there likely would be no connecting flight by Colgan without the subsidy.

"If the funding ceases from the federal government, they're gone," he said. "Unless the county picks it up, which we cannot afford to do, we won't have any."

Colgan has received a subsidy of $610,000 a year under the current contract. The Department of Transportation agreed to a subsidy of $1.59 million a year under the new contract, Airport Manager Larry Blackwell said. Colgan accepted.

Blackwell also sent the transportation department a letter stating it is essential that Colgan continue the late day in-bound flight and the early out-bound flight.



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Comments

  • Pythagoras Pythagoras Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Right Wing...subsidies? Politicaly confused.
    Service in the airline industry is nearly dead, actually, the service industry is nearly dead. Why, you ask? because instead of working hard for a tip, you think I owe you a tip for doing your job. The airlines don't work for tips but their unions ensure they get them anyway. I would really like to see general aviation increase in Victoria; tourism as well. How about an airshow Victoria?

    May 22, 2009 at 5:42 p.m.
  • eatmorenopales eatmorenopales Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Folks get over it, this is still a po-dunk town, despite all the right wingers they sure sure like their subsidies!!! A waste of your federal tax bucks.

    May 22, 2009 at 10:12 a.m.
  • swbones swbones Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    When I fly home, my flight from the Middle East never allows me to make the connection, so my wife picks me up at IAH and we drive home. But what is a 2.5 hour drive compared to a 16 hour plane ride?
    We the taxpayers are getting ripped off by another Fed program.

    May 22, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
  • bullseye11b bullseye11b Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    For what it's worth..the individuals working at this airport need to improve on their customer service. I use to fly out of their all the time but now am flying out of Bush Intercontinental. I got tired of all of the delays/cancled flights, rude workers, and arriving to most of my destinations late or with-out luggage because of a late arrival to Houston. I would love to have the convience of flying out of Victoria...why would anyone want to drive to Houston and pay parking and tolls? But...it's worth it right now with all the issues I had experienced with Victoria Regional/ Colgan Air.

    May 22, 2009 at 9:47 a.m.
  • swbones swbones Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    So, there are less than 20 people a day who want to use this "Service".

    May 22, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.