Last weeks airport meeting

[Cork On the Ocean]

At last weeks airport meeting, they said the airport is scheduled to break ground very soon (forgot to write down date). The construction will take 30 months and should be completed by early 2010.

There will originally be 7 gates (later up to 12) and the terminal will be twice the size of the existing terminal to start.

Also, Pier Park is FLYING. Seems like construction really picked up when they got the final money for the airport, doesn't it?

Hope it will finally be affordable to fly out of there.

 

[Paula]

Hi Cork:

Right now it is pretty expensive (relatively speaking) to get to SoWal from the midwest and there are no direct flights (from the northeast, midwest, west coast) so it usually takes a minimum of 5 hours to get to SoWal from Detroit and usually longer (but it's worth it for me and I get a lot of reading done). But since there's going to be a new airport, I sure hope there's going to be some direct flights from Detroit (a Northwest hub) at more reasonable rates -- perhaps rates that compete with the rates availabe to go to more southern parts of Florida.

 

[wallymom]

Someone had told me "they" (whoever that is) already have non-stop flights scheduled from three places in Europe...London and two others. Has anyone else heard this???

 

[Geo]

Hi Cork:

Right now it is pretty expensive (relatively speaking) to get to SoWal from the midwest and there are no direct flights (from the northeast, midwest, west coast) so it usually takes a minimum of 5 hours to get to SoWal from Detroit and usually longer (but it's worth it for me and I get a lot of reading done). But since there's going to be a new airport, I sure hope there's going to be some direct flights from Detroit (a Northwest hub) at more reasonable rates -- perhaps rates that compete with the rates availabe to go to more southern parts of Florida.

I have been flying direct on American to/fro Ft. Walton Beach for $180-$250 roundtrip.

 

[beachmouse]

There have long been rumors about direct regular service flights from Europe, but for now I suspect they're only that.

For a while I've been saying to look at the flight options that PNS has- that's probably pretty similar to what the new PC airport is going to have over the first five years.

 

[Paula]

I have been flying direct on American to/fro Ft. Walton Beach for $180-$250 roundtrip.

geowickey... From where? My average flight is about $350 from Detroit to either Panama City or Fort Walton. I rarely get lower than that but there are sometimes specials that bring it to about $320.

 

[beachmouse]

I'm guessing it's the promotional rates for the new ORD-VPS non-stop flights.

 

[Beachlover2]

Yes the promo rates for AA non-stop flight from VPS to ORD is still going on - I have had a couple just under $200.00 and just now booked one for end of October for $250.00 Not as good as the beginning but still a good rate.This flight is a joy - so nice to not worry about your connection in Atlanta - Dallas or Memphis. The flight originates at ORD leaving at 12:45pm and arrives at VPS at 3:10 pm - leaves VPS at 3:35 and arrives back at ORD at 6:10 pm. Both trips I have made on this got me in early - unheard of for ORD.

 

[Geo]

Yes the promo rates for AA non-stop flight from VPS to ORD is still going on - I have had a couple just under $200.00 and just now booked one for end of October for $250.00 Not as good as the beginning but still a good rate.This flight is a joy - so nice to not worry about your connection in Atlanta - Dallas or Memphis. The flight originates at ORD leaving at 12:45pm and arrives at VPS at 3:10 pm - leaves VPS at 3:35 and arrives back at ORD at 6:10 pm. Both trips I have made on this got me in early - unheard of for ORD.

Yep, that's the one. Sorry I didn't specify...

Cheers to all!

G

 

[Cork On the Ocean]

Hi Cork:

Right now it is pretty expensive (relatively speaking) to get to SoWal from the midwest and there are no direct flights (from the northeast, midwest, west coast) so it usually takes a minimum of 5 hours to get to SoWal from Detroit and usually longer (but it's worth it for me and I get a lot of reading done). But since there's going to be a new airport, I sure hope there's going to be some direct flights from Detroit (a Northwest hub) at more reasonable rates -- perhaps rates that compete with the rates availabe to go to more southern parts of Florida.

Yeah, it's ridiculous. I generally drive to Tallahassee or Pensacola to get a decent rate if I want to go down to Tampa. I think once the airport does open they'll be a lot of new competition. I've heard that it's going to be a very desirable airport to fly into because it's the first airport after 9/11 and supposedly will have enhanced security so supposed to bring a lot of new traffic for that reason.