SANAC Issue Paper #31

ISSUE: Provide more services that citizens can utilize

BACKGROUND: At the May 12, 1998 SANAC meeting this issue was one of thirty-eight issues brought forward as a recommendation for airport improvement and noise tolerance issue.

ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION: The basic point of this recommendation was for the airport to acquire scheduled air service to various destinations and therefore provide a level of air service that local residents use. Currently, unless a person is interested in going to Gulfport, Mississippi, Atlantic City, or Freeport Bahamas, this airport does not meet the travel needs of the community.  Several airlines have expressed interest in commencing service at Sanford and those that are the most probable listed below:

Casino Airlink - This air service is provided by Nations Air and is currently on schedule from Sanford to Gulfport Mississippi three times per week.  They intend to change to Memphis, TN (Tunica, Tennessee) soon.  That change should be good for the gambling market and it provides a low cost opportunity for local residents to get to a northwest airline hub for further travel.

City Shuttle - This airline would hub out of Sanford using Jetstream 31's and would provide daily service to most major Florida cities including Jacksonville, Gainesville, Pensacola, Miami, Key West and Sarasota/St. Pete.

Pan Am - This is the third generation of old Pan Am and they are considering starting point to point service from Sanford to the Boston, MA market area (Pease Jetport in Portsmouth, NH).

Other airlines are considering Sanford for possible future operations and as they approach fruition they will be added to this action item.

CONCLUSION: As airlines consider the Orlando Sanford Airport they should be encouraged to conform to the national standard for aircraft noise (see issue paper #18) and be made aware of the noise sensitive areas in our vicinity.

RECOMMENDATION: Proceed with continuing to market this airport to commercial air carriers and establish scheduled air service to various other high interest destinations.

SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Airport Authority

DATE PREPARED: January 7, 1999