The Grand Strand's home-grown airline, Hooters Air, has not been immune to the challenges plaguing the airline industry, but Hooters Air President Mark Peterson said the airline is holding its own.
"We're going to be here next year and many more years. That's what people need to know," Peterson said.
Hooters Air, a charter airline, operates differently from regional carriers that feed major carrier hubs with smaller airplanes that generally seat fewer than 100 people.
"Most of those guys right now have been doing pretty well," Peterson said. "We don't feed anybody. We're our own service."
Unlike major scheduled carriers, charter airlines don't have to operate seven days a week and can choose destinations. As a charter, Hooters Air also keeps revenue from ticket sales in escrow until the flight is completed.
Hooters Air primarily targets leisure travelers and has focused on bringing travelers from the Northeast and Mid-
west to Myrtle Beach, Florida and the Caribbean.
Hooters of America, parent company of the Hooters restaurant chain, plans to open a Hooters Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in February.
Peterson said the airline will continue looking at leisure markets, especially Florida, and hopes to serve Las Vegas out of other markets.
The Boyd Group, a Colorado-based airline-consulting firm, has said the airline's strategy is low-risk because it is focused on generating demand instead of meeting it.
Hooters Air was founded by Loris native Bob Brooks, chairman of the Hooters restaurant chain. The airline launched in March 2003 and serves 16 destinations.
Hooters Air boarded 60,696 passengers at Myrtle Beach International Airport last year, compared with 17,934 passengers it boarded at the airport during the 10 months it flew in 2003. Through October of this year, Hooters Air has boarded 59,803 passengers at the Myrtle Beach airport.
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