AirTran Airways has temporarily suspended nonstop service between Orlando and San Diego, shutting down a route that might someday become Central Florida's biotech air bridge. San Diego, after all, is home to the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, which is building an East Coast laboratory at Lake Nona, in southeast Orlando. But for now, it's a nonstarter. Since Orlando-based AirTran launched the connection in June, it has struggled to attract business. The airline says it will resume flights Nov. 9, when the holiday travel season kicks in.
Looks like AirTran and its recent adversary -- an investor group including Northwest Airlines -- weren't the only ones angling for control of Midwest Air Group earlier this summer. New regulatory filings reveal that a third party expressed serious interest in the Wisconsin-based airline and, while it never made a formal bid, it went so far as to exchange "several illustrative scenarios for an acquisition" with Midwest representatives. Midwest says the third entrant into the sweepstakes was a private investment firm but that's about all it's willing to reveal; otherwise, Midwest refers to it only as "Party A."
Homes for heroes
These are hard times for residential real estate developers, calling for different marketing strategies. Podvin Development Group sold out most of its 270-condo Crest at Waterford Lakes development, but now it's trying to finish the job with a pitch to "community service providers" -- a group that includes police, firefighters, military personnel, hospital staff and emergency-medical technicians. Two dozen or so of the units are being set aside for people in those industries or jobs who may qualify for a home but need some extra help. Other companies are promoting deals similar to Crest's "Our Hero Program," with special financing.
Darden sets date
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has set a groundbreaking for its new headquarters. The ceremony will take place Oct. 11 at Taft Vineland Road and John Young Parkway. Last June, Orange County commissioners approved $5.3 million in incentives to encourage Darden to keep its home base in Orlando. At one point, according to county records, Darden had said it was planning to start construction of the new headquarters in February 2007. But according to Bob McAdam, Darden's senior vice president, the Fortune 500 company's plans are "on schedule" and the building should be ready for employees two years after construction begins.
Flocking back
El Pollo Loco, a Southern California-based fast-food chicken chain, may take another run at the Orlando market. After closing its restaurants here more than 15 years ago, El Pollo Loco expects to once again sell its grilled chicken in the Orlando area, starting next year, as part of a Florida expansion, a company spokeswoman says. No leases have been signed yet, though.
Breaking point
Mortgage brokers are tired of taking the fall for problems plaguing the subprime-mortgage market. Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers President Ritch Workman is asking members to fight back, telling them to let the world know they are no more responsible for the mortgage meltdown than car salesmen are culpable for global warming. He has another bit of advice: Pass the blame where it belongs -- the lenders.
