As GSO nears completion of it's new 10,000 duel runway, it begins a push for hub service.
REPORT OF INCENTIVES
Regions putting Skybus on radar
Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:45 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
As Skybus Airlines released its latest batch of tickets and cut several West Coast routes, other cities continued to compete for service from the low-cost carrier. The Winston-Salem Journal reported yesterday that more groups are offering Skybus incentives to make Greensboro, N.C., its next "focus city," while The Bahama Journal said Skybus is expected to start flying to Freeport by March.
Skybus spokesman Bob Tenenbaum would not confirm either report.
Skybus has said it's considering Greensboro, and other cities, for an additional base. It also has filed for federal permission to fly to the Bahamas. Tenenbaum said there's no timetable for announcements on either matter.
The Bahamian newspaper quoted David Johnson, director general of tourism, saying that he expects a deal in November. He said once-daily service should begin in March, with daily service expected from two new Skybus "focus cities" by fall 2008.
In Greensboro yesterday, the board of the Piedmont Triad International Airport adopted a formal incentive policy. The incentives could benefit Skybus, although Executive Director Ted Johnson emphasized that it is available to "all airlines."
According to the Winston-Salem newspaper, Greensboro is competing with another current Skybus destination, Richmond, Va., to be the airline's next base. The Greensboro-area Forsyth County Tourism Authority announced a $100,000 incentive package after receiving a letter from a Winston-Salem development organization saying that Richmond is offering Skybus $50 million in local and state incentives. That rivals the $57 million incentive package Skybus received to base its operations and headquarters in Columbus.
Troy Bell, spokesman for Richmond International Airport, said he was not aware of the $50 million amount, which would have to come almost entirely from sources outside the airport and would dwarf any past incentives to draw an airline there.
"We try to fill in gaps in our service. If Skybus decides to bring more flights here, we would certainly welcome it."
The parent company of The Dispatch owns a minority stake in Skybus.
REPORT OF INCENTIVES
Regions putting Skybus on radar
Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:45 AM
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
As Skybus Airlines released its latest batch of tickets and cut several West Coast routes, other cities continued to compete for service from the low-cost carrier. The Winston-Salem Journal reported yesterday that more groups are offering Skybus incentives to make Greensboro, N.C., its next "focus city," while The Bahama Journal said Skybus is expected to start flying to Freeport by March.
Skybus spokesman Bob Tenenbaum would not confirm either report.
Skybus has said it's considering Greensboro, and other cities, for an additional base. It also has filed for federal permission to fly to the Bahamas. Tenenbaum said there's no timetable for announcements on either matter.
The Bahamian newspaper quoted David Johnson, director general of tourism, saying that he expects a deal in November. He said once-daily service should begin in March, with daily service expected from two new Skybus "focus cities" by fall 2008.
In Greensboro yesterday, the board of the Piedmont Triad International Airport adopted a formal incentive policy. The incentives could benefit Skybus, although Executive Director Ted Johnson emphasized that it is available to "all airlines."
According to the Winston-Salem newspaper, Greensboro is competing with another current Skybus destination, Richmond, Va., to be the airline's next base. The Greensboro-area Forsyth County Tourism Authority announced a $100,000 incentive package after receiving a letter from a Winston-Salem development organization saying that Richmond is offering Skybus $50 million in local and state incentives. That rivals the $57 million incentive package Skybus received to base its operations and headquarters in Columbus.
Troy Bell, spokesman for Richmond International Airport, said he was not aware of the $50 million amount, which would have to come almost entirely from sources outside the airport and would dwarf any past incentives to draw an airline there.
"We try to fill in gaps in our service. If Skybus decides to bring more flights here, we would certainly welcome it."
The parent company of The Dispatch owns a minority stake in Skybus.