Council approves airport company to launch Macon to D.C. flights

Jun. 20--Macon City Council on Tuesday agreed to hire an aviation company that will open new air service between Macon and metro Washington, D.C.

The company, Atlanta-based Aviation Advantage Inc., will start up daily services to Dulles International Airport outside of the nation's capital.

The airline will operate under the name "Southern Skyways," and will offer one-way fares expected to range from $110 to $179, said A. Cary Evans, the company's executive vice president.

If all goes according to plan, flights could be under way by November, he said.

Evans said there is a "huge market" for flights between Macon and D.C., and that Middle Georgia residents would rather hop aboard a jet in their backyard than drive to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

"Our job is to capture that (demand)," he said.

Macon will help fund the creation of the new route with a $500,000 grant the city accepted in 2005 from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Aviation Advantage will contract with another company to provide the actual flight service. It will market the routes and promote the airline using the city's grant money.

"After that seed money runs out, then we're relying on (Aviation Advantage) to generate enough income to keep those flights going," said Mike Anthony, the city's interim chief administrative officer.

As tickets are sold, Aviation Advantage would keep $2.50 per passenger for a management fee.

To get flight services started, Aviation Advantage will create a travel bank to generate the needed capital.

The travel bank allows frequent fliers to deposit money in advance of the start of the service that later can be applied to ticket purchases. Passengers could also pre-purchase books of tickets or join a discount flier club for about $500.

Once the service is started, city officers, employees and appointees would be able to fly for free while traveling on official business.

The contract with Aviation Advantage comes as the city appears to be edging a little closer to privatizing management of Macon's Middle Georgia Regional Airport.

A City Council committee has given initial approval to an airport budget that includes money needed to hire TBI Airport Management Inc. to expand the airport's commercial flight offerings.

But another committee still has to approve the TBI contract.

Evans told council members Tuesday that his company has worked with TBI before and can easily do so again.

To contact writer Matt Barnwell, call 744-4251.

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