It’s getting close to that time of year. And that time of the year is when North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock heads to the annual Allegiant Conference looking to maintain and enhance existing flights and perhaps add others.

 

“I’m going to meet with officials with Allegiant and let them know what they know, and that’s we’re ready for more,” said Rock.

 

Rock was given permission by the Benedum Airport Authority, the airport’s governing body, to attend the conference earlier this month. The conference is held the first week of October in Las Vegas.

 

While some may not believe Rock has had past success when going to the conferences, that would be an incorrect assumption. After landing Allegiant’s first flight to the Orlando area, he was able to expand to a nearly full-year schedule.

 

Since then, Allegiant has also had several times during the year where the Orlando flight goes from two days a week to three days, including the summer months from June to mid-August of this past year. The airport also secured a Myrtle Beach flight for the peak summer months and last year following meetings with Allegiant, that flight went from two a week to three a week.

 

The good news is that the flights remain at near full capacity. It’s not unusual for flights to be sold out or regularly above 90 percent capacity. Now, Rock is going to use that to try and give the public what they want.

 

“I’m going to start with the main feedback we’ve received from the community and the biggest thing we hear is a longer season for the Myrtle Beach flight,” said Rock. “We got three flights this year and the community stepped up and filled the seats. I’m extremely confident we would fill those seats if the season was extended for a few additional months.”

 

Rock said another thing that will be at the forefront is a permanent extension of additional days flying to Orlando. He said the third flight was a huge success so he looks to continue that and lobby for a fourth day as well.

 

“That increase the options for travelers and we’re confident we’ll have the same success if they would add a fourth day,” said Rock.

 

Rock said another area of feedback the airport receives are flights to the Gulf Coast of Florida. He pointed to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area as well as Punta Gorda. He said another potential area will also be added to the list.

 

“We haven’t talked much about Destin, but that’s another area where we’ve had our customers tell us they have interest in going,” said Rock. “Allegiant is growing and we’re wanting to grow with them, and that includes new markets for them.”

 

Rock said Savannah is another destination that Allegiant is getting a stronghold into and he’ll discuss that as well. In fact, he said just about everything will be discussed, including multiple destinations not listed here.

 

“In the end, most of their decision is data driven and we’re going to throw a lot of requests out there and see what sticks,” said Rock. “I have no problem doing that because I’m convinced this market can support a lot more air service.”

 

Rock said the numbers game works for and against the NCWV Airport. He said many of the indicators used by success the airport is excelling at. Some things, which are beyond Rock’s or anyone else’s control, simply can’t be changed.

 

“It’s a data a numbers game. Where we succeed is with full plans and having the fiscal responsibility that allows us to keep Allegiant’s costs low and increase revenue and that’s a winner in anyone’s book,” said Rock. “The argument against us is we don’t have the population base. We’ve got data that’s growing annually that shows our catch pin area is as larger or in some cases larger than places we’re up against looking to land additional flights.”

 

Rock said Allegiant will resume Orlando flights next month. He also expects Myrtle Beach to resume next year as well. Whether those are enhanced, or another destination is added remains to be seen.

 

Editor's Note: Show above is an Allegiant flight with passengers board at the NCWV Airport, while Airport Director Rick Rock is shown at the August meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority.