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October 13, 2006
David F. Byron, APR
Community Information DirectorDaytona Beach International Airport welcomes AirTran; Service to Atlanta and Baltimore
A late holiday gift is in store for area travelers. AirTran Airways will launch new jet service from Daytona Beach International Airport to Atlanta and Baltimore.
“This is very significant,” said County Chair Frank Bruno. “AirTran is an airline we’ve been coveting for a long time because they’re such a good fit for our airport. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with them.”
U.S. Congressman John Mica joined county and AirTran officials Friday for the announcement.
AirTran will begin service with three daily flights to Atlanta January 11. The schedule will increase February 15 to four daily flights to Atlanta and a daily flight to Baltimore. Although announced as seasonal service, officials have said that could change based on passenger demand.
Based in Orlando, AirTran is a low-fare airline that serves 50 U.S. cities with a fleet of 121 jets including 87 Boeing 717s and 34 Boeing 737-700s. AirTran has the youngest all-Boeing fleet of aircraft in America. The 717 is configured for 117 seats – 105 in coach class and 12 in business class. The Next-Generation 737-700 is configured for 137 seats – 125 in coach and 12 in business class. Its service includes free satellite radio, spacious overhead bins and assigned seating. Its frequent flyer program is called A+ Rewards.
“AirTran is the new breed of airline,” said Dennis McGee, DBIA’s Director of Aviation. “They present the model for where the commercial aviation industry is headed. With their low-cost fare structure I know they will be very successful in our market.”
“This is tremendous news for the entire region,” McGee continued. He noted AirTran is the first major low-fare carrier at Daytona Beach International Airport. “AirTran service will provide many new travel options and will address a persistent problem of local residents driving long distances to other airports for lower fares.”
McGee said he believes AirTran is responding to a strong pent-up demand throughout the region in the face of reduced seat inventory and escalating fares over past years in Daytona Beach. He said the new service is the result of ongoing work, cooperation and mutual support between Volusia County/Daytona Beach International Airport and Volusia’s three tourism advertising authorities. An extensive marketing program, in partnership with AirTran, the county and the advertising authorities is planned to inform the public of the new air service, encourage inbound tourism and promote increased use of Daytona Beach International Airport throughout the region and originating AirTran cities.
Beginning January 11, the first daily departure from Daytona Beach will be at 8:30 a.m. with arrival in Atlanta at 9:55 a.m. The second daily departure will be at 10:40 a.m. with arrival in Atlanta at 12:05 p.m. The third daily flight will leave Daytona Beach at 12:20 p.m. and arrive in Atlanta at 1:45 p.m. From Atlanta, AirTran will leave at 10:30 a.m. and arrive in Daytona Beach at 11:50 a.m. The second daily departure from Atlanta will be at 2:20 p.m. with arrival in Daytona Beach at 3:40 p.m. The third departure from Atlanta will be at 7:40 p.m. with arrival in Daytona Beach at 9 p.m.
Beginning February 15, there will be an additional daily departure from Daytona Beach to Atlanta at 4:10 p.m. with arrival in Atlanta at 5:35 p.m. Service to Baltimore commences with a departure from Daytona Beach at 2:30 p.m. with arrival in Baltimore at 4:35 p.m. The daily arrival from Baltimore will be at 10:10 a.m. with a departure from Baltimore at 8 a.m.
AirTran operates 700 daily flights within its system of serving 50 cities. The airline has 241 daily flights from its Atlanta hub which offers numerous flight connections and options.
A subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, the carrier is one of America’s largest low-fare airlines. It has 7,500 employees. For more information on Air Tran go to www.airtran.com.
For additional information, please contact Stephen J. Cooke, Director of Business Development at Daytona Beach International Airport, at 386/248-8030, x8309.
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