GSP International

[jarvismj]

Yeah, I can see that, and given that AVL has three or four gates (forgive me, I've never been there) It can't compare to GSP. But all I'm saying, if the demand is there, AirTran will go from three days a week to six or seven, then the traffic picks up...

Honestly, ever since Delta changed the rules on Elite, and I got to Gold just by segments, I haven't flown anyone else since last year, JetBlue included (and I like JB)

[gs3]

Yeah, I can see that, and given that AVL has three or four gates (forgive me, I've never been there) It can't compare to GSP. But all I'm saying, if the demand is there, AirTran will go from three days a week to six or seven, then the traffic picks up...

Honestly, ever since Delta changed the rules on Elite, and I got to Gold just by segments, I haven't flown anyone else since last year, JetBlue included (and I like JB)

Yeah, the new segment qualifying is nice, especially using GSP where almost any roundtrip is automatically 4 segments. You get to 100 quick.

One funny thing I noticed about AirTran's new Orlando flight......seems they did it to due to the success of the GSP to Orlando on Allegiant. If you're a smart traveler living midway between GSP and AVL, you'll still choose Allegiant as AirTran can't touch their price. Due to the fact Allegiant has a la carte pricing, if you don't check luggage, don't get an assigned seat and don't buy a drink/food, the base ticket is still several dollars cheaper than AirTran (who does not offer a la carte pricing). I think the a la carte pricing is one reason Allegiant as an entire company is being so successful. If you just want transportation based on price, Allegiant wins (plus you have leather seats and a couple of inches more legroom than AirTran, unless sitting in AirTran's poorly designed, wanabe first class).

[gs3]

Many people think GSP is the most expensive airport in SC to fly from. That perception, isn't accurate.

Article on air fares at major SC airports:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/792544.html

[gregtrob]

Many people think GSP is the most expensive airport in SC to fly from. That perception, isn't accurate.

Article on air fares at major SC airports:

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/792544.html

So GSP is roughly $40 cheaper than Columbia. I don't think we compete with Columbia too much in terms of our traffic. It's more of the mindset of flying out of CLT or ATL which is mentioned in several comments on the site even for Columbia people (particularly Charlotte for them)

[Danmire]

Southwest airlines are in town at the moment. They were meeting with the City of Greenville yesterday and are up in Spartanburg today.

Happy Days!!

[gman430]

Thanks for the information. Let's hope something comes of it.

[RestedTraveler]

Southwest airlines are in town at the moment. They were meeting with the City of Greenville yesterday and are up in Spartanburg today.

Happy Days!!

Happy Days, indeed. If something comes of this, it will be long overdue! *Fingers Crossed*

[GvilleSC]

That's exciting! Fingers are crossed here.

If nothing else, they have to be impressed with the entry/exit road to the airport

[RestedTraveler]

I bet they could justify their presence at GSP with direct flights to MCO (Orlando International) and Chicago Midway alone.

[Danmire]

Just looked at their Route Map online. They have no presence in Georgia and South Carolina. Greenville is right in the middle between Raleigh, Birmingham, Nashville and Jacksonville.

[gman430]

Atlanta's got Airtran. Charlotte's got Jetblue. Where's Southwest to go? Hey, how about right between the two. How did you know they were in the area Danmire? Was there a news release or something?

Edited June 9, 2009 by citylife

[Greenville]

Just looked at their Route Map online. They have no presence in Georgia and South Carolina. Greenville is right in the middle between Raleigh, Birmingham, Nashville and Jacksonville.

That is precisely why it makes perfect sense for them to offer service from GSP. Hopefully, in addition to lowering fares at GSP, their presence would open up some new destinations for direct flights (Nashville, Jacksonville, etc.).

[RestedTraveler]

Ooooh...I completely forgot about Nashville. Good call! I could see the Greenville News Headline now... "IT'S ON! Southwest Airlines to Begin Service from GSP"

[distortedlogic]

If something does come of it I hope they at least attempt a couple of flights out West. I am sure there is enough demand for at least a Denver and LAX route.

I wonder if this is in response to the recent survey at GSP?

[Danmire]

How did you know they were in the area Danmire? Was there a news release or something?

I was up touring the Milliken campus in Spartanburg yesterday and the tour guide was saying that Southwest was coming by Milliken that day and they had been meeting with the City of Greenville the previous day. It sounds like Southwest was going to be meeting with several big industries in the area who have a big need of more flights into GSP.

[gman430]

Thanks for the information Danmire. Looks like your tour guide was right. Local and GSP officials aren't saying a thing because they're worried it could blow the deal. Always a good sign when they keep their mouth shut. If Southwest wasn't here, then there would be no reason for them not to talk.

[RestedTraveler]

Who? What were we talkin' about?

[gman430]

Well, I guess Butch Kirven couldn't resist. Local officials wouldn't talk to me about it though. Notice the Chamber of Commerce had no comment either. Southwest wouldn't do extensive market research and visit this area for several days if they didn't think this was a potential market for expansion. Looking good. News article can be found here: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20...ONTPAGECAROUSEL

Edited June 11, 2009 by citylife

[RestedTraveler]

Sounds as though they definitely did their homework and came prepared and just wanted to see things first-hand. Not sure if they treat every potential market this way, but it would make good business sense to always do your homework. Still, this is all very encouraging. I'd no-doubt fly much more often if the rates were lower and there were more direct flights to places I want to go. I hate flying into Atlanta, Cincinnati, and DFW to get anywhere else. Likewise, I'd just as soon not deal with driving to Atlanta or Charlotte just to get a better rate, no matter how tempting it may be. Count me in amongst that "pent up demand."

Edited June 11, 2009 by RestedTraveler

[gman430]

Due to increased traffic from Allegiant and anticipation of a new low-cost carrier, the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is currently receving bids/proposals for the purchase and installation of two aircraft passenger boarding bridges. Proposals will be received until 2:00 p.m. on July 6, 2009. This will increase the number of boarding bridges from 11 to 13.

Here is another article from the Greenville News on Southwest Airlines: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20...ONTPAGECAROUSEL I like what i'm hearing from Harvey Schmitt. Definitely a lot of positives that will help us land this low-cost carrier. I didn't realize it had been at least ten years since Southwest Airlines visited the area. A lot has changed since then in terms of economic development and population growth.

[distortedlogic]

I'm surprised nobody has posted this. A Gvillenews article about the director of GSP, Gary Jackson, is retiring at the end of the month. He will be replaced by David Edwards who is currently the director at Asheville Reg.

Here is an interesting quote from the outgoing director:

[rssgvegas]

If anyone near the airport saw an odd number of takeoffs tonight, you weren't mistaken. With the weather in Atlanta tonight lots of flights were diverted to GSP. Air Tran 872, Continental 1251, Delta flights, 1515, 1705, 5508, 5386, 5087, and 5293 have all just taken off for ATL. Flights 5114 and 4972 are inbound now from ATL.

[Greenville]

I flew into GSP this afternoon, and it was busy (not unusually so like it probably was tonight, though).

[gs3]

Due to increased traffic from Allegiant and anticipation of a new low-cost carrier, the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is currently receving bids/proposals for the purchase and installation of two aircraft passenger boarding bridges. Proposals will be received until 2:00 p.m. on July 6, 2009. This will increase the number of boarding bridges from 11 to 13.

I find this very interesting as many of the current regional jet flights do use the bridges at their gates. If GSP is purchasing additional bridges (both will go on the two unused gates on the end of Concourse A) then they must be counting on future mainline plane flights. Southwest is 100% mainline. Interesting.......

[distortedlogic]

I find this very interesting as many of the current regional jet flights do use the bridges at their gates. If GSP is purchasing additional bridges (both will go on the two unused gates on the end of Concourse A) then they must be counting on future mainline plane flights. Southwest is 100% mainline. Interesting.......

Yeah, I thought so too. Here is the article from the paper the other day, it basically tells that approval to purchase the two bridges has been granted. Here is an interesting quote, "The goal, he said, is