Home > About BNE > Press Room > 2009 Archive > December > Direct Air extends N.F.-to-Fla. service

Direct Air extends N.F.-to-Fla. service

 - by James Fink

Direct Air, the only commercial air carrier to serve the Niagara Falls International Airport, will be adding new flights to Florida beginning in February.

Direct Air officials confirmed Thursday they will be running a twice-a-week route between Niagara Falls and Melbourne, Fla. The flight will then head to Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers. Direct Air already offers flights between Niagara Falls and Punta Gorda.

The flight will begin on Feb. 4, officials said. A special introductory fare of $99 each way will be offered during a limited period.

Melbourne opens Florida’s east coast to travelers including those bound for fly and cruise vacations or to such destinations as Disney and Universal Studios theme parks as well as Busch Gardens and Sea World. All of those destinations are popular with both local and Canadian travelers. Southern Ontario residents make up a significant base of Direct Air’s customers.

“We already have a strong Canadian passenger base,” said Kay Ellison, Direct Air managing partner.

The flight is the first new commercial route booked for the soon-to-open 68,000-square-foot passenger terminal at Niagara Falls International Airport. The terminal is expected to welcome its first travelers on Dec. 11.

It also comes against a backdrop of a weakened commercial air traffic industry that’s been hard hit by the soft economy.

“We are excited with Direct Air’s announcement and continued commitment to expand service, especially at a time when many aviation businesses are reducing service and parking aircraft,” said William Vanecek, NFTA director of aviation. “With this addition, more flights will bring more revenue and opportunities that will mutually benefit destinations, Direct Air and our community.”

Direct Air, originally Myrtle Beach Direct, has been flying out Niagara Falls for more than two years. Its local routes run between Niagara Falls and Myrtle Beach and Niagara Falls and Punta Gorda.

The new flight will carry passengers on a 150-seat Falcon Air jet.