islandpacket.com - The Island Packet Online

• Archive Search

Search Everything in the Lowcountry and the Coastal Empire.

AirTran ends flights from Savannah to Atlanta

Comment on this | | | | | | | |

AirTran Airways, the only low-cost airline serving the Hilton Head Island market, is cutting its two daily flights from Savannah to Atlanta as of Oct. 27.

The flights -- one around 11 a.m. and one around 7 p.m. -- from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport both go to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The two flights have a combined 234 seats.

The company, which has flown from Savannah to Atlanta since 1994 when it was ValuJet Airlines, said the route is not profitable.

"The Savannah/Hilton Head market is a high leisure route with very little originating business traffic, and what is there has typically supported Delta (Air Lines)," said Judy Graham-Weaver, manager of public relations for AirTran. "It is tough to get a good yield in the market."

Patrick Graham, executive director of the Savannah airport, said AirTran represents only about 3.5 percent of the airport's flight schedule.

Loss of the only low-cost carrier could, however, lead to some price increases by other airlines, he said.

The airport has been in talks to attract other low-cost carriers such as Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways, but any new routes likely will have to wait until economic conditions improve, Graham said.

"All the airlines are in cutback mode, not in expansion mode," he said.

The AirTran announcement represents the latest in a line of service cuts at area airports. Delta cut its service from Savannah to Boston and will cut a daily flight each to Cincinnati and Atlanta. Continental Airlines also has cut its twice-daily service to Cleveland from Savannah.

At the Hilton Head Island Airport, Delta has announced it will suspend all service starting Nov. 30. That will leave only US Airways at the airport.

Savannah isn't the only market to feel cuts from AirTran. The airline cut service to Daytona Beach, Fla., in May and will end service to Newburgh, N.Y., in September.

"The trigger for AirTran is the same as all airlines today -- record high fuel prices," AirTran's Graham-Weaver said. "We are cutting out network growth and capacity systemwide for the first time since 9/11, and every route has been scrutinized under a much tougher microscope."

The airline, however, recently announced new service from Columbus, Ohio, to Atlanta, Orlando and Fort Myers, Fla., starting Nov. 6.

Locally, the cuts might not be over.

"If the economy continues to get bad, yes, (cuts will continue)," said the Savannah airport's Graham. "If oil prices don't continue to float down, yes (cuts will continue)."

AirTran will not close its reservations center in Savannah. That operation employs roughly 300 agents.

AirTran has offered to rebook passengers through Jacksonville or Charleston at no additional charge or provide a refund or a credit for future flights.

| | | | | | |