The AvStar Aviation Group has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Twin Air Calypso Limited (TACL) has been in discussions with the City of Naples Airport Authority to provide air carrier service to destinations across Florida from the airport. TACL intends to commence its ‘Naples Connection’ air service from Naples to Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Key West and Orlando from October 22, 2012.
The new air services will be the first in what the company is branding as its ‘Community Airline’ concept that is designed to fill the void left in smaller communities by the reduction in major and regional airline service. TACL expects to generate annual revenue in the range of $1 million from the flights which will be performed using Cessna 208B Grand Caravan aircraft
Alongside the point-to-point traffic on these routes TACL will link its Ft Lauderdale connection with its existing flights to the islands of Eleuthera and Abaco in the Bahamas, while, additionally, a Piper Navajo Chieftain will also be based in Naples as an auxiliary and charter aircraft.
"We are pleased to offer this service to the citizens of Naples, not only will it give Naples travellers access to the business centers and cruise ports of the east coast of Florida, but also the tourist destinations of Key West and Orlando. Additionally, the southwest coast of Florida will now have an efficient way to enjoy the 'family islands' of the Bahamas,” said Clayton Gamber, Chief Executive Officer, AvStar Aviation Group. “The concept of a community airline is one that is tailored to our existing operation and I look forward to seeing what other opportunities are available in the southeast for future expansion."
Naples Municipal Airport calls itself ‘The Best Little Airport in the Country’ but up until now its operations have been dominated by domiciled flight schools, air charter providers and corporate aviation services. Over the past 30 years the airport has had links to 17 different destinations, although the only current scheduled service is provided by ExecAir to Miami using an eight-seat Cessna.
The City of Naples Airport Authority revealed last month however, that US budget carrier JetBlue had expressed interest in serving Naples Municipal Airport with non-stopflights from several New York airports. The airport currently has a 75,000-pound weight limit for aircraft, which has prevented such operations in the past but the City of Naples Airport Authority is investigating the airline’s request for a waiver of that limit for specified commercial service.
“Working with our attorneys and our board of commissioners to evaluate the weight-restriction issue is only an initial step,” said Executive Director Ted Soliday. “Our bylaws require meetings with the city council and the public to change the weight limit in any manner. Whether JetBlue begins service or not, attracting the attention of this premier airline is a great achievement for the airport and the Naples area.”
In a letter to the City of Naples Airport Authority that it has made public, Scott Laurence, JetBlue’s Vice President Network Planning and Partnership said: “We are pleased with the market dynamics of the Naples area and are confident that JetBlue’s high quality, low-fare air service will drive significant increases in travel to Florida’s Southwest coast. Although our modern fleet of Airbus A320s and Embraer 190s exceed APF’s current weight limits, they have a noise footprint similar to or lower than smaller aircraft currently utilising the airport.”
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