Chattanooga Airport Soars to New Heights with Exciting Developments
Chattanooga, you’re in for some great news! The Chattanooga Airport is experiencing a surge in activity that has everyone buzzing with excitement. In a recent board of commissioners meeting, April Cameron, the airport’s President and CEO, announced that August not only set a new record for enplanements but also surpassed their best performance for the month in history. “August exceeded our best August ever,” Cameron shared, celebrating this significant win for the bustling airport.
Strong Delta Commitment
One major highlight is the Delta Air Lines announcement that they are resuming nonstop service to LaGuardia starting on October 8. In addition to this exciting development, Delta will be boosting its daily departures from Chattanooga with two flights to Atlanta and one to Detroit in November. This expansion is expected to increase Delta’s seat capacity by an impressive 48 percent. “Let’s thank Delta Air Lines for their continued commitment in our community,” emphasized board chairman Jim Hall, as he thanked the airline for their support.
Pursuing Denver Service
But there’s more on the horizon! Chattanooga is actively working towards establishing service to Denver. Thanks to a $750,000 grant from the Small Community Air Service Development Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation, progress is being made. Hall expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We don’t want to forget Denver. We really want to see what we can do in Denver.”
During the recent Air Service Development Summit over the Labor Day weekend, local leaders, including County Mayor Weston Wamp and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, engaged with existing carriers to discuss future routes and service opportunities. Cameron noted that these collaborative efforts have already resulted in an uptick in networking, including LinkedIn invitations, which indicates a strong interest in exploring new possibilities.
Luxury Rentals and New Partnerships
The airport isn’t just focusing on traditional flights. In a move to enhance the experience for its customers, Wilson Air Center and West Star Aviation have partnered with Go Rentals, a luxury car rental company. This exciting news means that customers can now rent high-end vehicles and SUVs directly at the airport. This 12-month agreement will see the airport earning 10 percent of gross receipts from Go Rentals.
Trissy Pickett, the Vice President of Aviation Development for Go Rentals, pointed out the unique appeal of this service. “Chattanooga has not been able to have this level of service before,” Pickett stated, highlighting the targeted goal of reaching $500,000 in annual revenue from this venture. The service includes hand-washed and detailed cars, ensuring a premium experience for travelers.
Commitment to Community Growth
The Chattanooga Airport is clearly steering towards a promising future, evidenced by a recent two-year agreement with Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting. This partnership, valued at $63,000 a year, aims to dive deeper into market analysis and community engagement strategies. Rhett Morgan, the consultant overseeing this effort, confidently remarked, “I really think we’re on the cusp of something special here.”
New Developments on the Horizon
In other notable news, the airport plans to utilize parts of the former Herb Adcox Chevrolet dealership property for maintenance and leasing purposes. A two-year lease with Capital Toyota is set to commence, enhancing operations and offering more services along the way.
As Chattanooga continues to grow and attract more flight routes and services, it is clear that the airport is on an upward trajectory that promises greater connectivity and convenience for travelers. With a combination of robust partnerships, innovative services, and a dedicated community focus, the future looks bright for the Chattanooga Airport!
