A Toast...

A New Year's Toast...

To Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) and Allegiant Air!!!

Have a Very Happy New Year.

-Alec-

Give Allegiant Two Weeks

I feel that the significant delays in the first week might just be from the transition to being a commericial airport again, or a reason beyond ORH's control.

I may be wrong, I certainly hope I am not.

I will re-asses this in 2 weeks.

Both Flights 775 & 776 Diverted Today

According to Allegiant's website...

Flight 775 originally landed in Worcester temporarily (15-20 minutes). It then departed for Allentown, PA. It landed and then flew to Providence.

Flight 776 is now scheduled (and delayed) to depart from PVD and proceed to Orlando.

I also noticed that the plane used was an MD-83 which has more seats than the scheduled MD-87.

An unusual itinerary for flights 775 and 776.

Prospective Airlines

In the different forms of media that have reported on the progress of Worcester Airport's revitalization, they have mentioned that the city is in talks with several airlines. I do not understand why the public is not "allowed" to know which carriers these are.

If the city and the airline/s announced their relationship, then the public could voice their opinion and support for the potential service that the airline is considering. Allegiant did this. On August 3, 2005 an article entitled, "Allegiant Air shows interest in Worcester: Vegas based low-fare carrrier seeks northeast connection," ran in the Telegram. Immediately there was a "good buzz" about the prospect of the city's vacant airport landing a new, profitable, low-fare, and growing airline.

I would also really like to know what 6 airlines that the IMG report is recommending that the city persue. The city paid $100,000 for this study and should tell the public which airlines it intends to look at. The reason behind this would be (for example) to allow the public to send e-mails to the executives at these airlines praising the airport and voice their opinions in the prospect of their airline coming to ORH.

I have said this before, and I will say it again: Allegiant Air is a great start, but that is all it is. The airport will not survive unless the we land more service in the near future.

All Eyes on ORH

It is no secret. All eyes are on ORH. If the Allegiant Air launch is a successful one, than more airlines will show interest and eventually sign on with Worcester Airport. If the launch does not go smoothly, and sales aren't good, than ORH's chances of becoming an asset to the city with more airlines like Allegiant is highly unlikely.

The smooth launch of Allegiant depends on mainly load factors and the passenger's experience.

Load factors of 80% are good, but the service needs to be advertised even more, so that everyone who it concerns knows about this travel option. New airlines will not come to ORH if there are not enough passengers to fill the large majority of their seats.

Passenger experience is the other major factor. If we do not provide the passengers with a convienient, affordable, and relaxing experience than they will not use Worcester Airport again. We are going to have to deal with charged parking, but on Thursday everything in that terminal must be up and running, with all the services that any traveling family might want. Signs to the airport also must be in place to help make up for the lack of an access road which is on most people's mind when they here the words, "Worcester Airport."

This is either Worcester Regional Airport's time to shine or possibly...not.

For (Mostly) Orlando Travelers

The people who are going to book out of ORH to Sanford/Orlando are going to people who's final destination is Orlando, Seminole County, or Daytona Beach. SFB is not an airport used by people interested in traveling to many other Florida vacation destinations.

The commentary in today's paper is not a good thing for our airport. It does not show the facts (which is that if you are going to Tampa, don't fly ORH), and also contributes to ORH's bad reputation. The ABSOLUTELY LAST thing that the Worcester Regional Airport needs is more bad press.

Let's be ready on December 22

The airport has to be ready for the first Allegiant passengers on December 22. The signage must be in place, so people can find the airport. The Airport Drive construction should also be completed, so that the passengers have a pleasant first impression of the airport that sits on the hill. Food service also has to be available to passengers at an affordable price since Allegiant doesn't offer any significant food items.

The parking system has to be up and running, without electrical flukes. Allegiant also must do its part in getting their gate and check-in-desk prepared.

First impressions last a lifetime. If the passengers have a negative first impression, then they will never check the fare the next time they plan to travel to Florida, and will eventually prove to be fatal to our airport.

New Blog Name

I have changed the name of the blog so it represents the entire airport, not just potential airlines. I will continue to discuss airlines I think the city should explore.