Airlines new life for their Place in the sky

 The air transport company is profitable again - at least for most lines- and much of good flying aircraft are available at the market price. This combination is likely to attract some wannabe companies that seem to be attracted to the business of air transport as moths to a lamp.

A reader asked me:

"Now that the air transport company looks good once again, what are the prospects of some interesting new startups?"

In short, the answer is: "only two recent startups are, but three more claim to be close."

Basically, three of the five following model Allegiant - focusing on small towns and avoid direct competition with the elements. The other two concentrate on Las Vegas.

In General, startups of today or already have crews and aircraft as the operators of the Charter or plan to contract out flight Charter operators. This strategy minimizes initial capital requirements and bypasses most of the paperwork of the Government.

Vision Airlines

That Vision has been around as a Charter operator for some time, its extended network of regular is new. It generally follows the Allegiant highly successful business model: most of its flights connecting small and medium-sized cities to and from Destin/Fort Walton Beach, in the heart of "Redneck Riviera of the Florida panhandle." Among the cities served it is stealing currently in Asheville, N.C., Baton Rouge, Louisiana), Greenville, s.c., Huntsville, Alabama, Knoxville, TN, Niagara Falls (pas Buffalo), N.Y. and Shreveport (Louisiana). Only a few flights circumvent this hub.

As with Allegiant, most flights operate only once to three times a week. The only daily flights are those who have a link Louisville, Kentucky, to Atlanta, a road above the current network.

Most of the flights are 737 s or s small 30 seat Dornier 328 turboprop. The airline also has some larger aircraft - in its fleet - 737 was and 767 s - although it apparently only uses them to Charter services. The reservation site has a provision to choose a service class, but any of the separate categories are currently available.

Generally these days, fresh Vision for baggage registered: the first bag costs $15 in advance or $20 at the airport. the second fee of $20 or $30. Soft drinks and snacks are "free", with no alcoholic beverages available. Advance seat assignment is also "free".

I did not see other costs "hidden" or "gotcha", but you may encounter some. Although the Vision offers accommodation at the hotel, it does not appear to push the Allegiant way.

Direct air

Direct air is another of Allegiant lookalike, flight to Myrtle Beach, s.c. and several golf Mecca destinations in Florida, including Melbourne, Orlando/Sanford, Punta Gorda and West Palm Beach, of these small cities regional Allentown, Pennsylvania, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Niagara Falls, RockfordIll., Toledo, Ohio and Worcester, mass., and some large cities. Frequency of flight this spring varies from two to five flights per week. Some routes are seasonal. some flights are intermediate stops. The flights are in a mixture of MD88 and 737 models, coach of all. Baggage fees are $ 25 for the first and $30 for the second, in advance; $5 more at the airport. As for the Vision, the airline made promotion of packages of the hotel, although not as aggressively as Allegiant.

Schedule posted starting 1 may shows many more flights than the current assignment. If the line actually extends this much is yet to see.