Future Myrtle Beach Fliers Favor New Airline, Facility

Jan. 28 -- Soon-to-be travelers flocked to Myrtle Beach International Airport by the dozens Saturday to snatch up discount ticket vouchers offered by a start-up airline.

The offer by Myrtle Beach Direct Air comes amid a debate surrounding a proposed project to build a new expanded terminal at the Myrtle Beach airport.

Supporters of a new county-owned terminal say expansion is important because, among other things, more gates will attract more airlines and therefore more visitors from more far-flung locales.

A Myrtle Beach city board that must approve of a project's design before building permits are granted has raised concerns about traffic, residential real estate values and airplane noise for the proposed terminal that sits within the fast-developing Myrtle Beach.

On Saturday, patrons at the current terminal leaned toward favoring the expansion.

"I come here about five or six times a year," said William Crowley, who is from Ireland and owns property in Carolina Forest.

Crowley said he's glad Myrtle Beach Air Direct is now offering direct flights from Newark, N.J., Niagra Falls, N.Y., and Pittsburgh, especially because Newark is easy to get to from Ireland.

He said that's something many Irish golfers will appreciate.

"A lot of Irish people, especially those in their 40s and older, like to come here for the golf," he said.

Carolina Shores, N.C., residents Dan and Rosemary Oconnell agree with Crowley about the new terminal. The couple said they fly in and out of Myrtle Beach about five or six times a year and they welcome a bigger version. "We'd love to see it expand," Rosemary said. "And with this area's growth, it seems like it's necessary."

The demise of Hooters Air last year and the decision by AirTran to leave in 2007 has raised questions about spending an estimated $228 million on an expanded terminal. So far, local efforts to attract more national carriers, such as JetBlue and Southwest Airlines, have been unsuccessful.

Direct Air is one of two start-up carriers offering flights at the airport in 2007. Another charter, Southern Skyways, will start service March 2 to Cincinnati, Charleston, W.Va. and Allentown, Pa. Spirit will expand its service Feb. 15 with flights to its hub in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Danny Meyer, a part-time Socastee resident who spends part of the year in an Erie, Pa., suburb, said he thinks a new terminal -- and the airlines it could bring -- will do nothing but benefit the Grand Strand.

"It's a win-win situation," Meyer said. "I travel between here and Pennsylvania at least a half-dozen times a year, and more airlines would give me what any consumer wants: more options."

Judy Tull, chief executive officer of Myrtle Beach Direct Air, said ticket sales had reached about 2,000 by about 5 p.m. "And that's round-trip ticket sales, so we're talking about 4,000 tickets so far," she said. "At one point, the line to the counter was out the door. We've just had a great response."

She said some were so pleased with the deal the airline is offering they bought several for themselves, then contacted friends and family to find out if they should buy more.

"We had a lot of people that would come in, buy tickets and then go out and call folks on their cell phones, then come back and buy more tickets. So many people said they are just so happy that there's a nonstop service [to Myrtle Beach] now."

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