With one last flight, AirTran era in Sarasota ends

AIRPORT: Second-biggest airline at SRQ departs, leaving behind uncertainty

Bob Walters' son booked the reservation two months ago for his dad to fly on AirTran Airways from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Atlanta.

"He said, 'Dad, you're not going to believe this. Not only are you on the last flight, you got the last seat,'" Walters said Saturday afternoon, waiting to board AirTran Flight 1062.

Multi-colored confetti littered the floor at Gate B12 as passengers lined up for AirTran's final departure from Sarasota-Bradenton. Two airport fire trucks provided a ceremonial arc from their water cannons as the 117-seat Boeing 717 taxied from the gate, lifting off on time at 5:45 p.m.

After nearly eight years, AirTran has pulled out of Sarasota-Bradenton for good. The airport's second-largest airline carried 3 million passengers and helped revive a struggling facility with discount fares and new routes. Though other carriers have filled in most of the gap, according to Sarasota-Bradenton International executives, the impact of discount carrier's loss on fares is still playing out.

Some passengers didn't realize it was the airline's last flight here, while other frequent AirTran customers lamented the departure of a favorite airline.

"I'm very disappointed," said Mike Mazur, who has commuted between Atlanta and Sarasota since buying a condominium here in January. "I've been flying here on AirTran at least once a month."

Mazur, who owns a company that provides services for association executives, said AirTran's convenient flights to Atlanta played a role in his decision to buy a second home here.

He has already booked other flights on Delta, the only other carrier that flies to Atlanta from Sarasota-Bradenton.

"So far the fares for Delta pretty much match," he said, though he wonders if they will soon rise. "That's the only game in town now."

Walters said he has flown AirTran three or four times a year to visit his son in Atlanta.

"It's a great line. I've got nothing but good things to say about them," said the retired sales executive.

AirTran employees were packing up computer equipment at the ticket counter while passengers checked in for the last two flights to Baltimore and Atlanta.

Seven of the 10 remaining AirTran employees are transferring to other Florida airports where AirTran and owner Southwest Airlines still fly, said spokesman Brad Hawkins. Three took severance offers.

One ticket agent who did not want to identify herself said she moved here a year ago from Chicago for the job, but is out of work since she did not want to commute to Tampa.

Other airport workers also are affected by AirTran's pull out.

Melvin Wilson, a skycap with Servisair since May, worked his last day Saturday, laid off by a combination of AirTran's lost business and the regular summer slowdown.

"It's a double whammy," Wilson said. "Hopefully we will get called back, but they didn't guarantee anything."

Airport chief executive Fredrick "Rick" Piccolo, still disappointed over losing his second-largest airline, said AirTran signs at the ticket counter and throughout the terminal will be removed over the next two weeks.

"We're not trying to wipe out any signs of them on Saturday," he said.

The electronic board at AirTran's gate displayed a message: "Goodbye SRQ, Thank You for 8 Wonderful Years!"

Arlene Briamonte, flying with her mother-in-law back to Philadelphia through Atlanta, did not know she was on the final flight.

"I had no idea. It's a surprise," Briamonte said.

David and Ginny Littmann flew in from Milwaukee on AirTran's last arrival, the same jet that was turned around for the Atlanta flight. Their pilot announced it was the the airline's last trip to Sarasota-Bradenton as he taxied for departure.

The Sheboygan Falls, Wis., residents have flown AirTran a number of times to visit their daughter and family here.

"They were always the best deal," Ginny Littmann said.

Traveling companions Jessica Hussord and Alan Martin also didn't realize they were on AirTran's final flight.

"They didn't tell us anything," when the pair checked in, Jessica said, although they noticed they were not charged for their luggage.

Walters, whose son bought him the ticket, also got a surprise: "He called me last night and said since my seat was the last one going to Atlanta, he put me in first class."