Changes ahead at GSP

By Cindy Landrum  

JANUARY 21, 2011 10:31 a.m. (0)

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport officials did not have to court the latest low-cost airline to announce service.

Vision Airlines, an airline that got its start offering tours of the Grand Canyon and played a part in last summer’s Russian spy swap, contacted GSP about starting service to Destin, Fla.

“That speaks to the strength that this market has,” said Rosylin Weston, GSP spokeswoman.

Service will begin March 25.

That’s less than two weeks after Southwest Airlines, which Upstate officials had courted for years, will begin serving GSP.

Vision Airlines will offer three flights a week to Destin, according to the airline’s Web site.

Tickets are on sale now and an introductory fare of $49 one-way will be offered until Jan. 23.

Vision’s arrival will expand to five the number of Florida cities served from GSP. Allegiant Air serves Orlando, Tampa/St. Pete, Fort Lauderdale and Punta Gorda.

“Our market has responded well to the Florida market,” Weston said. “Adding any service to the existing service available at GSP is good for the airport and good for the flying public. Adding any service is good news. Adding a low-cost carrier is better news.”

Minor Shaw, who was named chair of the GSP Airport Commission to replace the late Roger Milliken, said she’s excited about the legacy airlines and low-cost carriers flying out of GSP.

“I believe we will get a lot of our passengers who go to Atlanta back,” she said. “It’s time for the people to support GSP.”

Shaw, who has been on the airport commission for about 16 years, had served as vice chairman under Milliken. Hank Ramella was elected vice chairman.

No construction will be necessary to accommodate Vision, Weston said. The airport has a ticket counter and a gate from which the airline can depart.

A $1 million construction project needed for Southwest’s arrival is under way, she said.

Construction should be finished next month. Work is being done to the ticket counter near where Allegiant is now. The other work, which includes office space, is being completed in the area of the terminal the public does not see.

“We anticipate a great response not only for Southwest’s inaugural flights, but for the long term,” Weston said.

Southwest will operate seven nonstop flights to five airports – Chicago Midway, Baltimore Washington, Nashville, Houston Hobby and Orlando. It will also offer direct, one-stop flights to Las Vegas, Denver and Boston. On those flights, passengers will stop once but will not have to get off the plane.

Terminal expansion, which officials have said could cost $99 million, is also progressing.

The airport commission gave airport staff permission to negotiate a contract with Jacobs/CH2MHill/AVCON to serve as project manager.

A final design must still be done.

Shaw said she expects the airport to follow the long-term plan that Milliken, who had been airport commission chairman even before there was an airport, helped craft.

“Obviously, the airport won’t remain static,” she said. “Any changes will follow the long-term plan.”