Welcome to the West Coast Florida (TPA, PIE, SRQ, PGD, RSW, APF) Aviation thread - 2023 edition.

Please continue to post your news and discussions below.

Link to the the locked previous 2022 edition:
viewtopic.php?t=1468515&start=50

So now that it's 2023, I'll post my predictions.

*DL adds MIA and maybe DCA. AMS a couple more years from coming back I think
*Avelo and Breeze both add some routes, can only hope/want BTV from one of them
*WN brings back SAN
*AS keeps PDX yearly
*Someone finally adds Colombia
*F9 actually tries SDQ and PUJ
*Silver adds something like AVL or CHA

Not likely, but I want
*Icelandair restarts KEF
*AM starts MEX

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

So now that it's 2023, I'll post my predictions.
*WN brings back SAN

I also mentioned the possibilities of WN adding a few more new nonstop routes out of TPA such as TPA-CLT/OAK/PWM/SMF/TUL in a discussion at viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1468515&start=250#p23569087.

Also carrying from the predictions in the previous thread, I think SJO would really outperform relative to the Caribbean destinations. Costa Rica offers something so much more than a beach.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

So now that it's 2023, I'll post my predictions.

*DL adds MIA and maybe DCA. AMS a couple more years from coming back I think
*Avelo and Breeze both add some routes, can only hope/want BTV from one of them
*WN brings back SAN
*AS keeps PDX yearly
*Someone finally adds Colombia
*F9 actually tries SDQ and PUJ
*Silver adds something like AVL or CHA

Not likely, but I want
*Icelandair restarts KEF
*AM starts MEX

Great predictions!

Sounds like VIVA is having some issues, so I imagine BOG will end up being Ultra Air (Applied for TPA -BOG\/MDE) unless Avianca surprises us.

Will be interesting to see who gets to SDQ first, Ara Jet or Sky High. Sky High has publicly said TPA will be announced in Q1 this year and is the third US destination after MIA and BOS (Which ended up being PVD).

Alaska is keeping SFO daily through April, they must be pretty happy with it this year as that's a lot more capacity than last year.

I think the big growth this year will be from Southwest restoration (daily LAS and resuming SAN, etc) and DL resuming MIA and AMS.

Hopefully, a few more American P2P adds, as that is part of their new domestic strategy. IND, PIT, etc would be neat.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

So now that it's 2023, I'll post my predictions.

*DL adds MIA and maybe DCA. AMS a couple more years from coming back I think
*Avelo and Breeze both add some routes, can only hope/want BTV from one of them
*WN brings back SAN
*AS keeps PDX yearly
*Someone finally adds Colombia
*F9 actually tries SDQ and PUJ
*Silver adds something like AVL or CHA

Not likely, but I want
*Icelandair restarts KEF
*AM starts MEX

AMS would be a great restart from Delta, hoping we see MIA come back as well.
Curious with the addition of the pilot base between TPA/MCO if UA is interested in starting any more P2P flights.
DL also goes all A321NEO from ATL come may, I saw LAX/SEA also get upgraded to A321NEOs at the same time.
I have been combing around to see if there is any news/intent on Icelandair making a return to TPA, would be great to see their Max on that route.
I hope Breeze does give TPA one longer Coast to Coast route.
Silver starting MSY/MHH, I would love to see them start a whatever else they can as well.

A friend of mine who was supposed to fly home from New York tonight (she didn't say which airport) posted on FB a few hours ago "Inbound flights to Florida stopped bc of some computer issues" so it looks like JAX ARTCC had a problem.

I keep hearing of an imminent TPA-AMS resumption.

The stubbornness must end a BOG flight is a necessity somebody needs to just roll with it.

Jetblue ever gonna expand here or are they satisfied with running a dead end station at TPA?

GVIIO wrote:

I keep hearing of an imminent TPA-AMS resumption.

The stubbornness must end a BOG flight is a necessity somebody needs to just roll with it.

Jetblue ever gonna expand here or are they satisfied with running a dead end station at TPA?

I was wondering if the VS LHR route might delay resumption of AMS. I know VS has limited onward connectivity, but it’s not nothing.

FlyerTalkUserNa wrote:

GVIIO wrote:

I keep hearing of an imminent TPA-AMS resumption.

The stubbornness must end a BOG flight is a necessity somebody needs to just roll with it.

Jetblue ever gonna expand here or are they satisfied with running a dead end station at TPA?

I was wondering if the VS LHR route might delay resumption of AMS. I know VS has limited onward connectivity, but it’s not nothing.

It really is almost nothing unfortunately. If one way works for connecting to TLV, BOM or DEL, then the layover on the way back is 10 hours or too short to make it on most of itineraries I see. Very unattractive.

altairF28 wrote:

A friend of mine who was supposed to fly home from New York tonight (she didn't say which airport) posted on FB a few hours ago "Inbound flights to Florida stopped bc of some computer issues" so it looks like JAX ARTCC had a problem.

Same here, my friends got hit with a 4 hour delay getting into SRQ. It was an issue in Miami though. “ On Monday, American Airlines tweeted: "The ground stop for all Florida airports is affecting all carriers in and out of the area due to an issue at the MIA ATC control center."” JAX is the problem every other day lol.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2 ... 981069002/

SRQLOT wrote:

altairF28 wrote:

A friend of mine who was supposed to fly home from New York tonight (she didn't say which airport) posted on FB a few hours ago "Inbound flights to Florida stopped bc of some computer issues" so it looks like JAX ARTCC had a problem.

Same here, my friends got hit with a 4 hour delay getting into SRQ. It was an issue in Miami though. “ On Monday, American Airlines tweeted: "The ground stop for all Florida airports is affecting all carriers in and out of the area due to an issue at the MIA ATC control center."” JAX is the problem every other day lol.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2 ... 981069002/

Thanks. Doesn't seem to make sense to me why the ground stop was for all of Florida and not just fights that MIA Center would have handled.

krsw757 wrote:

altairF28 wrote:

SRQLOT wrote:

Same here, my friends got hit with a 4 hour delay getting into SRQ. It was an issue in Miami though. “ On Monday, American Airlines tweeted: "The ground stop for all Florida airports is affecting all carriers in and out of the area due to an issue at the MIA ATC control center."” JAX is the problem every other day lol.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2 ... 981069002/

Thanks. Doesn't seem to make sense to me why the ground stop was for all of Florida and not just fights that MIA Center would have handled.

If ZMA stops accepting handoffs, ZJX gets over saturated as well, thus creating a domino effect. The amount of traffic Florida has seen the past few years is insane. It reaches a breaking point almost on a daily basis.

Definitely makes sense, I have waited a many times on the taxiway at TPA due to Jacksonville spacing requirements.

Construction updates at TPA as of 1/13/23:

Airport Marriott hallway changing with work for Red Express Curbsides expansion

So the Marriott hotel is staying after all? No mention of demolition in the master plans anymore.

phatfarmlines wrote:

Construction updates at TPA as of 1/13/23:

Airport Marriott hallway changing with work for Red Express Curbsides expansion

So the Marriott hotel is staying after all? No mention of demolition in the master plans anymore.

Hotel is staying for a bit longer than initially expected. There will eventually be a new hotel built on the South section of the Airport, next to the SkyCenter.

SRQ's 2022 final numbers are in as well. Set a new record, with 3.85 million passengers.

There are a ton of capital projects that are about to kick off that will help ease the pressure of the rapidly increasing passenger volume. It will be interesting to see how the construction impacts the passenger experience, particularly with the gatehouse expansions.

Whose 752 is this?

Reg N757AG yields: VALIDUS AVIATION 757 LLC. Any more info?

Almost every time I fly into SRQ she's sitting right there pretty. Much prettier than that other guy's. Sorry in advance for the quality, I was landing at the time using extreme zoom and cropped and rotated these.

Last I knew that 752 was still for sale.

Here's the for sale link which has some interior pics as well. Pretty nice looking bird.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... t-aircraft

SRQflyer wrote:

SRQ's 2022 final numbers are in as well. Set a new record, with 3.85 million passengers.

There are a ton of capital projects that are about to kick off that will help ease the pressure of the rapidly increasing passenger volume. It will be interesting to see how the construction impacts the passenger experience, particularly with the gatehouse expansions.

Just amazing when I moved to that area there were barely a dozen flights a day for the summer! 1.2-1.5 million passengers a year.

Just a thought...Since this is a "West Coast Florida" thread that encompasses 6 airports it would be helpful to mention which one's being discussed, especially when a comment vaguely starts with "My prediction is" or "When are they going to resume service here?"

SRQflyer wrote:

Last I knew that 752 was still for sale.

Here's the for sale link which has some interior pics as well. Pretty nice looking bird.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... t-aircraft

Very nice set up for a 2000 model interior. I wonder how much they want, and what the range would be with underfloor tank mods.

TPA's 2022 PAX numbers are in, did 21,527,863

https://www.tampaairport.com/sites/defa ... ONTHLY.pdf

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

TPA's 2022 PAX numbers are in, did 21,527,863

https://www.tampaairport.com/sites/defa ... ONTHLY.pdf

2019 (the only realistic measure to compare against) saw 22.2M passengers. I suspect 2023 will break that amount.

Pellegrine wrote:

SRQflyer wrote:

Last I knew that 752 was still for sale.

Here's the for sale link which has some interior pics as well. Pretty nice looking bird.

https://www.controller.com/listing/for- ... t-aircraft

Very nice set up for a 2000 model interior. I wonder how much they want, and what the range would be with underfloor tank mods.

Here's some more information: N757AG has apparently been sold and soon will be delivered to the Argentine Air Force for VIP use. Originally is was ordered but NTU'ed by Air Astana. Then it was delivered new by Boeing to Iberia in 2000 where is served for 5 years in a 200-seat configuration. It was then sold to (USA's) Funair Corporation in 2005, who had it converted for VIP use. Then in 2017 (USA's) Validus Aviation purchased the aircraft.

https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/ ... ion/34mv53

I flew AMS-MCO in December and the crew mentioned that the rumor mill had DL taking that flight off in the spring. Anyone else heard that?

flflyer wrote:

I flew AMS-MCO in December and the crew mentioned that the rumor mill had DL taking that flight off in the spring. Anyone else heard that?

It’s currently only bookable until March 25.

“The airport served 21.4 million passengers in 2022 and expects 9% growth to 23.4 million this year” - TPA

So almost 1 million more passengers than full year 2019. Will be interesting to see where that growth comes from.

https://www.futuretravelexperience.com/ ... assengers/

Some great news for TPA!

Beginning Oct 5, AS will begin nonstop service to San Diego!

Here's the PR: https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airli ... -nonstops/

Depart TPA 5:30pm AS #599 Dly 739
Arrive SAN 7:40pm

Depart SAN 8:40am AS #476 Dly 739
Arrive TPA 4:25pm

It's a perfect schedule on a much-needed route! And Daily! Be interesting to see if WN has any comments or reaction... Thank you Alaska!

bb

That is big news and daily too boot!

I could see WN respond, their fault for leaving the window open for AS to slide in

SANFan wrote:

Some great news for TPA!

Beginning Oct 5, AS will begin nonstop service to San Diego!

Here's the PR: https://news.alaskaair.com/alaska-airli ... -nonstops/

Depart TPA 5:30pm AS #599 Dly 739
Arrive SAN 7:40pm

Depart SAN 8:40am AS #476 Dly 739
Arrive TPA 4:25pm

It's a perfect schedule on a much-needed route! And Daily! Be interesting to see if WN has any comments or reaction... Thank you Alaska!

bb

SANFan wrote:

Some great news for TPA!
Beginning Oct 5, AS will begin nonstop service to San Diego!
It's a perfect schedule on a much-needed route! And Daily! Be interesting to see if WN has any comments or reaction... Thank you Alaska!
bb

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

That is big news and daily too boot!

I could see WN respond, their fault for leaving the window open for AS to slide in.

Absolutely, BTV'. This Sat-only nonsense that WN is throwing around these days is complete BS and I'm so happy to see AS doing it right!

I know TPA-SAN has been at the top end of the list of largest unserved markets on-and-off now for a while and it's so nice to see it OFF that list! It's wonderful to see 2 great cities and airports (both with a lot in common) finally connected in a serious way! This AS route should be a keeper, despite what WN may or may not do.

bb

And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578

Looks like x3 weekly beginning 5/4

https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... and-ponce/

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578

Looks like x3 weekly beginning 5/4

https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... and-ponce/

Great alternative to the always full SJU flights. Should perform well! Hopefully PSE is next!

Glad we’re growing, but I wish it was someone other than Frontier. What a miserable customer experience.

Great news on Alaska to SAN!

FlyerTalkUserNa wrote:

Glad we’re growing, but I wish it was someone other than Frontier. What a miserable customer experience.

Great news on Alaska to SAN!

Agree regarding F9. I used to not mind them, but since they have started charging for carrying on your backpack as a personal item, I'll fly someone else.

Unfortunately the only US based airlines that will expand into Central/South America and the Caribbean from TPA are going to be F9 and NK. One can wish for WN, but I don't see it anytime soon.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

FlyerTalkUserNa wrote:

Glad we’re growing, but I wish it was someone other than Frontier. What a miserable customer experience.

Great news on Alaska to SAN!

Agree regarding F9. I used to not mind them, but since they have started charging for carrying on your backpack as a personal item, I'll fly someone else.b

Unfortunately the only US based airlines that will expand into Central/South America and the Caribbean from TPA are going to be F9 and NK. One can wish for WN, but I don't see it anytime soon.

BQN-TPA is under $99 round trip. Can’t really complain for that price. Although with only 3x weekly, if something happens you gotta wait a few days or ask to be rebooked to SJU. I can’t wait to try it! Just gotta know what to expect.

Great news on SAN and AS. I flew TPA-SAN when WN was running it. But it seems that WN has been more interested in adding services to newer cities than to add to the Tampa’s, Orlando’s, etc.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

That is big news and daily too boot!

I could see WN respond, their fault for leaving the window open for AS to slide in

Is the market big enough for two carriers? Unless the military traffic between TPA and SAN is gangbusters, it's going to be tough to maintain that level of service.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:
And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578


Looks like x3 weekly beginning 5/4

https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... and-ponce/

IMO it's going to be a tough market to maintain, and we'll need to see if it sticks on the F9 network dartboard. It will basically operate on a pure VFR traffic basis. Ditto if PSE service is ever started.

TPA missed out on the initial Porter YYZ-US routes, but would have to assume it will come soon-ish.

Hi Folks,

I have not been to RSW in a while and I'm thinking about a one day trip down soon. Had a lot of good days there, and I love the airport. 2 Questions

1. Is is easy to get around Ft Myers or access the city from the airport? I assume the beach areas are still more or less of limits but is the area between say I-75 and US-41 easily accessible?
2. Is it now possible to rent a car or find a hotel room in town?

StuckinCMHland wrote:

Hi Folks,

I have not been to RSW in a while and I'm thinking about a one day trip down soon. Had a lot of good days there, and I love the airport. 2 Questions

1. Is is easy to get around Ft Myers or access the city from the airport? I assume the beach areas are still more or less of limits but is the area between say I-75 and US-41 easily accessible?
2. Is it now possible to rent a car or find a hotel room in town?

Had a friend go there to help his dad rewire the electrical in the whole mobile home on San Carlos Island few weeks ago. Said the traffic is a nightmare, and he had to get a hotel in Bradenton an hour away as so many were destroyed/damaged in that area.

Thank you men. I'm glad things are recovering, even if its slow going. I heard the spring training facilities are ok, so the coming weeks will be a madhouse if hotels are still messed up.

SAN-TPA market definitely not big enough for a daily AS and some WN, but WN does their weird SAT only flights, not saying that's how they respond, but also can't see them trying to add more than that to 'scare' AS off. Heck WN's TPA-LAS is half what it used to be, that route alone for them could siphon traffic off direct AS TPA-SAN.

I think Puerto Rico is extremely underserved from TPA. BQN will give non SJU Puerto Rican's an easier way to get to TPA and Puerto Rico tourism traffic is currently booming for Florida, so it won't just be VFR.

phatfarmlines wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

That is big news and daily too boot!

I could see WN respond, their fault for leaving the window open for AS to slide in

Is the market big enough for two carriers? Unless the military traffic between TPA and SAN is gangbusters, it's going to be tough to maintain that level of service.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:
And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578


Looks like x3 weekly beginning 5/4

https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... and-ponce/

IMO it's going to be a tough market to maintain, and we'll need to see if it sticks on the F9 network dartboard. It will basically operate on a pure VFR traffic basis. Ditto if PSE service is ever started.

krsw757 wrote:

StuckinCMHland wrote:

Hi Folks,

I have not been to RSW in a while and I'm thinking about a one day trip down soon. Had a lot of good days there, and I love the airport. 2 Questions

1. Is is easy to get around Ft Myers or access the city from the airport? I assume the beach areas are still more or less of limits but is the area between say I-75 and US-41 easily accessible?
2. Is it now possible to rent a car or find a hotel room in town?

Yeah everything is fairly back to normal, with exception of some of the beaches like you said. Not sure about rental cars, but I’d assume they’re available. Hotels are a little pricey this time of year, but are open with rooms available.

Rental cars seem back to pre-hurricane normal as well.

Some tidbits on what we can expect for the Spring schedules in the Tampa Bay / Sarasots / Fort Myers area:

-DL operating 2x 763s TPA-ATL for the majority of March

-DL also operating 2x 753s each on TPA-MSP and TPA-DTW during the month of March. I suspect these are the 753s that were on the schedule in RSW pre-Ian.

-SY operating both TPA-MSP and PIE-MSP at the same time.

On the note of SY, they will be operating SRQ-MSP and RSW-MSP, so they have the west coast of Florida well-covered.

-G4 also operating SRQ-MSP and PGD-MSP, so some ULCC competition between SY and G4 there.

-No widebodies on the schedule by AC/RO this season.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

SAN-TPA market definitely not big enough for a daily AS and some WN, but WN does their weird SAT only flights, not saying that's how they respond, but also can't see them trying to add more than that to 'scare' AS off. Heck WN's TPA-LAS is half what it used to be, that route alone for them could siphon traffic off direct AS TPA-SAN.

Yeah I'm surprised about the WN TPA-LAS flight presence. They had the market on lock after the US/AA pullout. NK and F9 must really be giving them a run for their money & also WN staffing issues must be persisting.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

SAN-TPA market definitely not big enough for a daily AS and some WN, but WN does their weird SAT only flights, not saying that's how they respond, but also can't see them trying to add more than that to 'scare' AS off. Heck WN's TPA-LAS is half what it used to be, that route alone for them could siphon traffic off direct AS TPA-SAN.

I think Puerto Rico is extremely underserved from TPA. BQN will give non SJU Puerto Rican's an easier way to get to TPA and Puerto Rico tourism traffic is currently booming for Florida, so it won't just be VFR.

phatfarmlines wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

That is big news and daily too boot!

I could see WN respond, their fault for leaving the window open for AS to slide in

Is the market big enough for two carriers? Unless the military traffic between TPA and SAN is gangbusters, it's going to be tough to maintain that level of service.

BTVB6Flyer wrote:

BTVB6Flyer wrote:
And the good news keeps on coming for TPA, looks like F9 is about to announce TPA-BQN per Ishrion on Twitter.

BQN unserved from TPA.

https://twitter.com/IshrionA/status/1620244403536408578


Looks like x3 weekly beginning 5/4

https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... and-ponce/

IMO it's going to be a tough market to maintain, and we'll need to see if it sticks on the F9 network dartboard. It will basically operate on a pure VFR traffic basis. Ditto if PSE service is ever started.

TPA hasn’t seen much of a recovery since the pandemic on WN’s side.

- PHL not operating daily (used to be 2 daily and now it’s SAT-only)
- LAS used to operate daily, now it’s SAT-only
- SJU used to be 2 daily (now it’s just 1 daily)
- LAX/SAN not operating
- FLL still at 2 daily (used to be 3)

I’m probably missing a few. Hope some of it is restored in the upcoming schedule announcement.