Savannah losing direct Miami flight
Feb. 02--American Eagle's daily direct flight between Savannah and Miami has been grounded, a victim of parent company American Airlines' bankruptcy proceedings, Patrick Graham told the Savannah Airport Commission Wednesday.
"The issue, apparently, is with American's contract with its pilots, which contains a clause limiting the number of turbo prop flights," said Graham, executive director of the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport.
The good news? American Eagle's two daily nonstops to Dallas, which utilize jet aircraft, have not been affected, he said. And, Graham added, US Airways will add a direct flight from Savannah to Washington's Reagan National on March 25.
In other airport business, the commission:
--Gave staff the OK to proceed with a contract to install four Georgia Lottery vending machines in various locations around the terminal. John Rauback, director of administration and finance for the airport, said the four machines are estimated to bring between $75,000 and $100,000 in annual revenue to the airport.
--Heard an update by architect Pat Shay on the possibility of powering the airports' parking decks with solar panels. The goal, Shay said, is to make the existing parking garages "as close to net zero in energy consumption as possible." The commission agreed to issue a request for proposals to help determine if the project would be economically feasible.
--Learned the airport's North Aviation Project in conjunction with the expansion of Gulfstream Aerospace is approximately 10 weeks behind schedule, due mostly to soil issues with pilings. That issue has been resolved, Graham said, and the project is still expected to meet Gulfstream's timetable.
Copyright 2012 - Savannah Morning News, Ga.
