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Pittsburgh Connector' looks to provide air service
Thursday, November 05, 2009
PITTSBURGH - Dan Onorato, Allegheny County executive and Allegheny County Airport Authority officials announced talks are under way with Gulfstream International Airlines and the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee to make the "Pittsburgh Connector" project a reality. The original concept, championed by the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee in 2006, would restore nonstop air service from Pittsburgh International Airport to several regional communities.
"We are thrilled that Gulfstream International Airlines is interested in restoring important regional flights to our world-class airport," said Onorato. "The Pittsburgh Connector would accomplish two major goals. It would re-establish nonstop air service between Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania cities, including (DuBois), and it would help to promote additional regional economic development through increased air traffic and business travel."
"Gulfstream International is very interested in restoring air service to several communities no longer directly linked to Pittsburgh," said Mickey Bowman, Gulfstream's vice president of corporate development. "Since 2003, important destinations within a 400-mile radius of Pittsburgh no longer have nonstop air service, among them the state capitol in Harrisburg. Gulfstream is committed to providing reliable, quality, regional air service at reasonable prices. We hope this new service can begin as early as the first quarter of 2010 and grow to encompass four to eight communities within the year."
"The Pittsburgh Connector is an innovative concept designed to create high-quality air links with easy connections on airlines at PIT, creating a reliable network of sustainable, consistent air services through the commonwealth," said Glenn R. Mahone, airport authority board chairman, adding, "It's also designed to stimulate new traffic."
"Airports do more than provide transportation; they can attract new business and create jobs," said Eric Madden, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's deputy secretary for aviation and rail freight. "This initiative will help better connect Pittsburgh to regional communities, as well as encourage economic growth. We are pleased to see Gulfstream partnering with the Authority in this endeavor."
Gulfstream currently operates 23 aircraft with more than 150 daily system departures throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and Cleveland, Ohio.
The commercial air service provider operates as the Continental Connection at DuBois Regional Airport.
Gulfstream has code share relationships with Continental Airlines, United Airlines and Copa Airlines of Panama.
The company, with its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has approximately 600 employees, the bulk of which are Florida based. Gulfstream is a member of the Regional Airline Association.
Additional information on Gulfstream International Airlines is available at www.gulfstreamair.com.
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