United727 From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 381 posts, RR: 1 Posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 3402 times:
48 hours ago, Rockford Chicago International Airport scrambled to assist its passengers due to the abrupt shut down of DirectAir and its incapacitating blow to hundreds of passengers who planned their spring break vacations to RSW with this now defunct carrier. RFD went over and beyond the call of duty and arranged replacement service with another airline, namely Vision Airlines, in a little less than 48 hours. This service is pending DOT approval, which is expected sometime tomorrow afternoon. Their service will also be an incredible upgrade from the B734's, which Direct was chartering, to Vision's B767 (200 pax) WB service beginning as early as next week.
Supposedly there is one other smaller airport that has arranged similar service, but I have never heard of arranging such service in 48 hours. My hats off to Mike Dunn, Airport Exec. Dir. for going well over and above the call of duty as the airport was not responsible for the airlines delinquency and shutdown. Additionally, seeking out Vision's assistance for reasonable fares and the significant equipment upgrade as a bonus.
Looking for the impossible way to save those dying breeds!!!!
steex From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 1427 posts, RR: 9 Reply 1, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 3393 times:
SPI is also turning to Vision to replace Direct Air, they have a statement on the airport's homepage.
KarlB737 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2929 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 3314 times:
Quoting United727 (Thread starter): RFD went over and beyond the call of duty and arranged replacement service with another airline, namely Vision Airlines,
This kind of action is reflective of effective leadership of a regional airport. RFD management consistently acquire what they need with action. It is because of this leadership and agressiveness that has got them more airline service than most people expected for this regional airport.
Courtesy: WREX-TV
RFD Announces Solution For Direct Air Cancellations
United727 From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 381 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 3186 times:
DIRECT AIR UPDATE
As you probably know by know by now, RFD has entered into an agreement with a carrier, Vision Airlines, top provide non-stop service between Rockford and Ft. Myers, Florida (not Punta Gorda) beginning this Monday 3/19. Flights will occur once a day on each Monday and Friday beginning 3/19 through April 30th. Upon final approval from the Federal Department of Transportation tomorrow morning, Vision Airlines at www.VisionAirlines.com will be able to take reservations for these flights.
I apologize to the passengers scheduled to fly tomorrow, Friday 3/16 for not being able to get this deal in place in order to assist you. Finding an airline, negotiating, and getting DOT approval, created a situation where we just couldn't get it done in time for Friday.
If RFD sees a demand, greater than the seats scheduled for these flights we will add additional flights. Because of federal regulations I am unable to share with you the specific fares tonight that will be charged, until the DOT/FAA gives us final approval tomorrow morning which we have been assured will happen. That being said I can tell you that the round trip fares will be below $300.00 and the one way fare will be below $150.00.
Please understand that in order to keep these fares down in an attempt to help out our flyers and customers, RFD will be exposed to costs for operating these flights. Our board and the staff here have all agreed that this is the right thing to do under the circumstances. And we are proud to be able to offer some assistance and relief to those stranded as a result of this very unfortunate situation. Again, we're very sorry that we are not able to assist everyone in each of their individual circumstance.
I want you to know that out of seventeen (17) airports served by Direct Air to the best of our knowledge only RFD and Springfield, Illinois have come up with this type of option offering alternative flights. RFD received official notice from Direct Air at 12:52pm on Tuesday, March 13. In 52 hours RFD found a carrier, negotiated a deal, and got to a point where we are now able to offer service and relief for our customers. I'm very proud of the RFD Board and our Staff in the way that they have responded to our customer's crisis and emergency. Finally I need to thank the folks at Vision Airlines for their quick response to our needs and the Federal DOT and the Staff there for the assistance in helping to expedite the process. We wish you all well, on behalf of the RFD Board and Staff we thank you for your patience and support of RFD.
Mike Dunn
RFD Director
Looking for the impossible way to save those dying breeds!!!!
usxguy From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 832 posts, RR: 6 Reply 4, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 17 hours ago) and read 3155 times:
Why does Vision need DOT approval? they are a SCHEDULED part 121 airline....
sunking737 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1930 posts, RR: 9 Reply 5, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 3041 times:
Quoting usxguy (Reply 4): Why does Vision need DOT approval? they are a SCHEDULED part 121 airline....
DOT Part 380 Public Charter Operations is what Direct Air was operating under.
OB1504 From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 2967 posts, RR: 8 Reply 6, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2939 times:
SPI is also working with Vision to transport passengers to and from RSW, so will the flights be combined as RFD-SPI-RSW or SPI-RFD-RSW to make the best use of the additional capacity of the 767-200?
tjwgrr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 2297 posts, RR: 3 Reply 8, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 2766 times:
flyinryan99 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1919 posts, RR: 11 Reply 9, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 2707 times:
Quoting JA (Reply 7): It appears that RFD has bought the entire plane.
I wonder if they will have the passengers purchase tickets for a set price and cover the losses then and then just allow anyone to book even if they hadn't already booked? Way to go RFD and thinking outside of the box. Those passengers will definitely be back because they have an airport that actually cares...
JA From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 513 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2610 times:
Quoting flyinryan99 (Reply 9): I wonder if they will have the passengers purchase tickets for a set price and cover the losses then and then just allow anyone to book even if they hadn't already booked?
Looks like it. At $150/one way, the plane will have to be 80% full to make it, but it seems that SPI is also kicking in money.
KarlB737 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2929 posts, RR: 9 Reply 11, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2527 times:
More details on the RFD deal:
Courtesy: Business Rockford
Vision Airlines Agrees To Fly To Fort Myers From Rockford
"The decision will not come without a cost. Under the worst-case scenario, the airport would be on the hook for $55,000 per round trip — $770,000 in total. Dunn said the airport estimates it will cost it around $125,000 for all flights to Fort Myers.
“We’re not going to escape without a large bill on this,” said Dunn."
"But the association between an airline and an airport is strong, and Direct Air’s woes could make Rockford passengers decide to fly from a different airport. That would make it more difficult to increase passenger traffic, a board goal."
MLI717fan From United States of America, joined Oct 2006, 239 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2501 times:
It's probably too short of notice for them right now, but I wouldn't be surprised if G4 ended up taking on this route. They've been pretty successful at RFD and they have a focus city in PGD. It does seem G4 has been mostly concentrating on short flights to PGD (and MYR) with the exception of GRR. I wonder why that is.
United727 From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 381 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 1820 times:
Maybe someone else can chime in on this one, but it seemed odd, even with their recent DOD financial woes, that Ryan International (which is located at RFD) didn't step forward to operate the same way Vision plans to. They have plenty of free'd up B767's right now....Any thoughts??
Looking for the impossible way to save those dying breeds!!!!
flyinryan99 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1919 posts, RR: 11 Reply 14, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 1207 times:
Probably because Ryan International doesn't have a reservation system in place. They picked Vision because they do. Think about it - still need to book and process passengers. Is Ryan capable of that? I'm not sure..That's just my thought...
flyboi4life From United States of America, joined Sep 2010, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1101 times:
Quoting OB1504 (Reply 6): SPI is also working with Vision to transport passengers to and from RSW, so will the flights be combined as RFD-SPI-RSW or SPI-RFD-RSW to make the best use of the additional capacity of the 767-200?
From what I've heard from my friends at V2 was that Direct Air had contracted V2 to fly their 767-200 (200seats) from PGD-RFD/SPI/IAG. All separartely. I guess the demand is there.
BluYonder From United States of America, joined Mar 2012, 14 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 1065 times:
I can certainly see RFD wanting to replace its link with Southwest Florida. But I am surprised that SPI must have felt that RSW service was more desired by the community thus less risky than underwriting service to LAL. Under normal circumstances, I would think Central Florida is a bigger drawl than Southwest Florida. I wonder if that is a reflection of the appeal of LAL...or the lack of?
sunking737 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1930 posts, RR: 9 Reply 17, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1031 times:
LAL does not have any jetways. Just a rack of stairs pushed up to plane. Not a stair truck. Easy to push a wheel chair up. LAL has only had jet service since June 2011.
flyboi4life From United States of America, joined Sep 2010, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (1 year 2 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 915 times:
Quoting BluYonder (Reply 16): But I am surprised that SPI must have felt that RSW service was more desired
PGD doesn't have the equipment to handle a 767. Direct Air was trying to rush training and getting loads and especially stairs for a 767. Hence why the service was restored to RSW instead
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