Branson Airport Announces Grand Opening Air Show!

[ozarkman]

Got this from Hometown Daily News.com:


by Greg Brock

Branson Airport LLC held a news conference in Oshkosh-Wisconsin Friday to announce details of an air show for the grand opening next year of Branson Airport. Officials with Branson Airport and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh say not only will the 155-million dollar project open for commercial service on May 11th, but it will host one of the top ten air shows in the nation during the grand opening celebration on May 8th, 9th, and 10th.
The annual air show will feature many performers from the renowned EAA AirVenture Oshkosh including civilian performers:
* Aeroshell Aerobatic Team
* Stuart Dawson in the Sea Fury
* Kyle Franklin
* Michael Goulian
* Iron Eagles
* John Mohr in the Stearman
* Steve and Susan Oliver
* Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes Wingwalk
* Patty Wagstaff
* Matt Younkin
* Warbird Demonstration with pyrotechnics
* Static aircraft displays including the Sea Fury, B-17, B-25, P-51 Mustangs, Ford Tri-Motor, P-47s, Corsair
* Military performances to be announced
Branson Airport is the first privately financed and operated commercial service airport in the United States.
The Experimental Aircraft Association's Fly-In Convention, know known as EAA AirVenture Oshkosh was first held in 1953 and about 100 people attended..., the week-long event now draws over 750-thousand visitors.

[Double Mom]

That should be a good air show, the one in Oshkosh is a huge event and is so neat!!

[Countryman]

By the way, what airline have they snagged?

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by Countryman

By the way, what airline have they snagged?

Considering the fact that most Airlines are reducing their Regional Services, because of fuel problems etc, things are going to be very tough.

United and American are laying off 2,000 Pilots between them, if recent announcements prove to be true. Plenty of Support Workers have also been given their pink slips, too.

Coach Man.

[One]

I heard that SOUTHWEST was in and ALLEGIANT was seriously considering. There probably won't be any big carriers like United involved as they don't have a clue. I'd like to see JetBlue get in there, that would be sweet.

[TheOleSeagull]

Originally Posted by One

I heard that SOUTHWEST was in and ALLEGIANT was seriously considering. There probably won't be any big carriers like United involved as they don't have a clue. I'd like to see JetBlue get in there, that would be sweet.

This is the first the Ole Seagull has heard that Southwest "was in." What was the source? Any of the airlines you mentioned would be a blessing if they came in with enough seat capacity.

[Hunters Friend]

If Southwest in fact does come on board, we can all relax and light a cigar. Next to Disney, this would be the biggest coup in Missouri's history.

Nice to dream though isn't it?

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by One

I heard that SOUTHWEST was in and ALLEGIANT was seriously considering. There probably won't be any big carriers like United involved as they don't have a clue. I'd like to see JetBlue get in there, that would be sweet.

Google;

"Allegiant Airlines"

and see how many airports they have cancelled service to recently, which includes Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Don't forget that Branson is pretty much, CLOSED, between Mid-December and Mid-March, and in this market Airlines need successful year-round service to try and make a go of it.....and that includes Southwest Airlines.

According to the Springfield Business Journal, passenger numbers were down by 9% in June, mostly due to rising airfares;

http://www.sbj.net/article.asp?aID=8...702&aID2=81737

Coach Man.

[One]

This is the first the Ole Seagull has heard that Southwest "was in." What was the source? Any of the airlines you mentioned would be a blessing if they came in with enough seat capacity.

I have a friend who works with Southwest (he's not a baggage handler) and he told me it was going to happen. A few years ago, He told me that Long Island, NY would get Southwest and I didn't believe him at the time... But it happened.

He was also my source for Allegiant... He said they were "seriously talking". He has business colleagues at that airline.

According to the Springfield Business Journal, passenger numbers were down by 9% in June, mostly due to rising airfares;

Southwest has a lock on their jet fuel costs, because they used their cash profits to secure fuel for years to come.

[chime]

I hope that the airlines will be able to fly into Branson more reasonably than Springfield. For us to fly from Detroit to Springfield the cost approximately half the cost of Detroit to London. Many people would skip Branson twice to go to London once.

Maybe Branson could get lucky and get AirTran to provide service. The service we've had from that small airline has been terrific. I don't know if they would be interested in servicing two cities as close together as Branson and Kansas City.

[DalmationDad]

Originally Posted by One

I heard that SOUTHWEST was in and ALLEGIANT was seriously considering. There probably won't be any big carriers like United involved as they don't have a clue. I'd like to see JetBlue get in there, that would be sweet.

No big carriers?? Actually I think Southwest IS the biggest carrier if you are counting bodies enplaned.

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by One

Southwest has a lock on their jet fuel costs, because they used their cash profits to secure fuel for years to come.

Southwest's Fuel Hedging Agreement ends sooner than you think, within the next three years, actually.

Take away that agreement, Southwest is already losing cash on their operations. CEO, Gary Kelly, has already predicted a gloomy 4th Quarter for SWA, in 2008. He hasn't said that aren't going to make a profit, just unlikely that they will.

Coach Man.

[Coach Man]

Originally Posted by One

I'd like to see JetBlue get in there, that would be sweet.

Well, if wish to fly Jet Blue and you would like a pillow.....you will now have to cough up $7, per passenger, for the luxury of having one;

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Busin...5510621&page=1

Coach Man.

[BMOMAN]

no airlines will be announced till about 2-3 months before hand. people are anxious and think something is wrong that an airline hasnt been selected but you forget there hasnt been a commercial airport built in the last 30 years. its normal not to know till a couple of months in advance

[One]

Coach, I find you to be very caviler on this subject...

Yet,

I have a more optimistic view of how things will turn out with the Branson Airport and the carriers involved... especially Southwest.

In hard times... The "Arts" flourish... Movies, Themeparks, Places like Branson.
It's an escape from all the doom and gloom of life.

I look at the hard times we are facing here in Branson as a natural pruning...
And once it is finished... We'll be poised for a new growth.

I'm praying for this whole airport endeavor to work dispite the negative reports posted about the future of things to come. I will be at the air show and show my support.