Spirit Airlines explores expansion at Arnold Palmer

Spirit Airlines may expand operations from Arnold Palmer Regional Airport after six months of successful service.

Airline manager Jeff Minkovich said on Tuesday that while expanded services are being explored by airline officials, no decisions have been made.

Spirit offers four flights a week to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The flights to Myrtle Beach are seasonal, running from May to November.

"Looking to the future, some (flight) dates will change, and we're hoping some new services will be put in those dates," Minkovich said during the Westmoreland County Airport Authority meeting.

He said he hopes that flights to other destinations can begin late this year or in early 2012. "I can't say anything more about that now. Nothing has been confirmed," Minkovich said.

The airline continues to turn in solid numbers, with flights to both destinations averaging 92 percent to 93 percent capacity, Minkovich said. Since Spirit's debut, almost 37,000 passengers have come through the airport.

"The community is showing that it loves the service and have been here to support it," Minkovich said. "They would love to see growth."

Minkovich said an overwhelming number of customers have cited the convenience of flying out of a smaller airport as the reason they use the service.

"We have people coming from everywhere," he said. "I talked to a family that came from Moon Township that said it was more economical to come here than go to the (Pittsburgh International) airport in their backyard.

"The key word for me is growth," Minkovich added. "I want to see it grow, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make that happen."