When direct flights to Orlando from Bridgeport resume early next month, officials at the North Central West Virginia Airport are expecting the success of those discount flights to continue. And they’re expecting that to continue even though another direct flight to the same area will begin roughly two weeks later at another airport.

 

Although officials are keeping an eye on the situation, the recent announcement that Charleston’s Yeager Airport will soon be offering a flight directly from that city to Orlando International Airport (MCO) – also at a discount rate – isn’t something they believe will damage the success of the Bridgeport flight. Bridgeport’s flight goes to the Orlando-Sanford International Airport and has resulted in more than 10,000 passengers booking flights.

 

“It’s direct competition for us because it’s servicing a similar area that we promote and serve with direct flights more than once a week,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. “The disappointment is that in a state of 1.7 million it just makes it that much harder. At the same time, competition is something we’re willing to deal with and have to deal with and we believe we have a really strong program.”

 

It would be hard to argue Rock’s point. The program with Allegiant Airlines has been wildly successful with flights leaving Bridgeport being booked above 90 percent of the capacity level.

 

The flights began in November of 2013 and the success of them has allowed Allegiant to continue the program. In fact, Allegiant is currently on a break with the local program for flight maintenance, but is resuming flights Oct. 2 – more than a month earlier than it is doing in most other markets where it offers direct flights to the Orlando area – due to the success of the Bridgeport flights.

 

“It is competition and I appreciate competition, but I think we have the better partner,” said Rock.

 

The flights from Charleston are through “PEOPLExpress.” That airline, Rock said, is listed as DBA (doing business as) Vision Airlines.

 

In 2011, the NCWV Airport had a deal with Vision to provide air service to Orlando. However, that deal fell through despite the fact that members of the Benedum Airport Authority – the airport’s governing body – said that the flights were booked at more than 80 percent capacity before the service began. The matter ended up in court.

 

“We feel that we have the number one airline when it comes to leisure travel. I’m very confident with what we have,” said Rock. “We think with the support we have had that we’re only going to get better.”

 

Authority President and Harrison County Commission President Ron Watson said he also welcomes the challenge. And he said he sees nothing wrong it and wouldn’t mind offering flights that others in the state and in Bridgeport’s driving distance offer as well.

 

“I can’t complain about what Yeager is doing because I don’t think we have ownership on flight service to Orlando or anywhere else,” said Watson. “If we can offer a service that another airline is offering, we’ll do the same thing that Yeager is doing because it’s good business for the airport. At the same time, I’m keenly aware that Allegiant has put us over the hump for solid passenger numbers. Allegiant has allowed us to accommodate our area and beyond and we hope to do more of that with other flights in the future and a continued relationship with Allegiant.”

 

Rock said based on information the airport has they know that they do get passengers from the Charleston and Huntington area for their Allegiant flights to Orlando. He knows that it’s likely – at a minimum – those that have traveled to Bridgeport will now look first to travel closer to home.

 

“That may have some impact, but long-term and probably even short-term we’ll be fine,” said Rock.

 

Watson agreed.

 

“Maybe this is a good thing for us. Maybe the competition will drive the prices that are already reasonable down ever further,” said Watson. “The thing to realize is that we have a good thing with Allegiant and if we can’t weather this, then shame on us.”

 

Yeager previously offered flights to Orlando through AirTran. That service was canceled.

 

The Charleston flight begins Oct. 16. Flights are being listed as under $100 one-day with additional costs for luggage, carry-on, larger seats and other amenities that is typical with discount carriers. The airplane will be a 134-seat 737 with flights Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock, while Authority President Ron Watson shown below.