JetAmerica to Offer $9 Flights
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Travelers living in the mid-sized cities that have been hurt by cut backs in the airline industry are going to love JetAmerica. This new airline based out of Florida is set to offer nonstop flights from some of those cities starting in July. There will be more flights added in the near future.
Many national airlines have cut back on flights over the last few years and particularly the last several months. The reduced flights are one more attempt at creating a profit in the troubled industry. JetAmerica hopes to fill in some of the gaps left by the bigger airlines.
The new airline is getting some help from the airports that it will be servicing. They have received grants, waived fees and even assistance with advertising. Having the flights out of the airports is worth the cost. Not all of the airports are willing to offer help though.
There is even better news coming out of JetAmerica. Flights will be CHEAP but are no frills. Seats will start at just $9 (but only for the first 19 seats on each plane) and will reach near $200 for the highest priced seats. Everything extra will cost - that includes baggage check, food, drinks and even in-flight television.
John Weikle is the chief executive of JetAmerica. He compares the new airline to the business model of Wal-Mart. JetAmerica is starting out service in those communities that the large airlines are not interested in serving.
The first flights of JetAmerica will be nonstop and will begin in Toledo, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; Melbourne, Florida; Newark, New Jersey; Minneapolis, Michigan and Lansing, Michigan. More flights - from Toledo, Ohio to Minneapolis, Michigan - will be added in August.
This is John Wiekle's second airline attempt. He also founded Skybus, Inc which was also known for its cheap fares. Skybus went bankrupt after the spike in fuel charges.
