Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Adds Flight to Orlando - NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather

This fall, Frontier Airlines will launch low-fare, non-stop flights to Orlando from the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.  The airport has worked for years to get the new service off the ground.

The airport in Weyers Cave has not had two commercial carriers since shortly after the 9/11 attacks that crippled the airline industry.

But it will add flights to the destination of Orlando, Florida on the week of Thanksgiving and the airport could not be more thankful. Starting this November, 138-seat jets from Frontier Airlines will begin touching down in the valley. 

The flights will run three days a week, starting at $69 each way. The flights between the valley and Orlando will be on modern airbus jets, running every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

As airport officials unveiled the new service on Thursday, they had to choke back cheers of joy.

Airport Commission Chairman Gerald Garber said, "It's a difficult environment, it's very competitive. I mean, I don't know very many airports that wouldn't kill for this."

Garber says the valley worked for seven years to make the Orlando connection.    

Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport Director Greg Campbell said, "Non-stop flight, low fare, free parking - so we feel like we really have a competitive advantage on the Orlando market for this part of the state." 

The airport had to be ready for the low-cost flights, which meant a $2 million terminal renovation with space for the valley's second carrier. 

Campbell stated, "The old terminal had some issues, and it could have been an impediment, it absolutely could have been." 

Garber said, "Their impression's got to be, 'we'd be proud to be here, we'd be proud to work with these people.' You've got to give them that." 

The airport made the announcement Thursday before a room full of local government and tourism officials who see the Orlando service as a pipeline for new visitors.

Dennis Burnett of Augusta Economic Development stated, "The arts, the culture, the skiing, the theater - all of these things that have come to life over the last 10 years can now be bundled and packaged."

Staunton Tourism Director Sheryl Wagner said, "That's my job now. We're going to have to go into the Orlando market and start marketing to them. I think it's huge potential." 

Frontier Airlines
PRESS RELEASE 

DENVER (Aug. 16, 2012) – Frontier Airlines today announced new nonstop service between Orlando, Fla. (MCO), and Shenandoah Valley, Va. (SHD), with three weekly nonstop flights beginning on Nov. 20, 2012. To celebrate the new service, Frontier is offering fares as low as $69* each way available for purchase through Aug. 25, 2012 only at FrontierAirlines.com. Frontier Airlines will be the first low-fare carrier at the airport and this will be the only nonstop service from the Shenandoah Valley to Orlando International Airport.

"With the addition of Frontier's nonstop service to Orlando, customers in the Shenandoah Valley can now enjoy a low fare option into Orlando's most convenient airport, where you're closer to all the key attractions and can start your vacation sooner," said Daniel Shurz, Frontier's senior vice president, commercial. "Not only will Shenandoah Valley-area travelers enjoy our low fares to Orlando, they'll appreciate amenities other low cost carriers don't offer including TVs at every seat and the option of extra legroom."

"We are very excited to welcome Frontier Airlines to the Shenandoah Valley with non-stop jet service to Orlando. Frontier has a great reputation of exceptional service and we are confident our community will quickly embrace this new destination," said Gregory Campbell, Executive Director, Shenandoah Valley Airport Commission.

Following is the schedule for Frontier's Shenandoah service:

Tickets must be purchased by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, August 25, 2012. Fares are for travel November 20, 2012, through March 17, 2013, for one-way, nonstop travel between Orlando, FL, and Shenandoah Valley, VA. Roundtrip purchase not required. A 14-day advance purchase applies. Seats are limited at these fares and certain flights and/or days of travel may be unavailable, especially during busy travel periods. Tickets are non refundable, but depending on the fare type purchased may be transferred for $50 or reissued for alternate flights for $50, as well as a possible fare increase to a non-promotional fare type. The name change fee and itinerary change fee are not exclusive of each other. Previously purchased tickets may not be exchanged for these special fare tickets. Flight segment(s) must be cancelled prior to scheduled departure time or the ticket(s) and all monies will be forfeited.

Fares reflect purchase at FrontierAirlines.com. Tickets purchased on Frontier's website and with Frontier's Reservations centers must be paid for at the time the reservation is made, but may be canceled for a full refund without penalty up to 24 hours after the time of purchase. Depending on the fare type purchased, a $20 fee may be charged each way for the first and for the second pieces of checked baggage. Fares include all transportation fees, surcharges and taxes, and are subject to change without notice.

Some markets do not offer daily connections. Due to schedule changes, markets may not connect throughout the valid travel period.

Flights are operated by Frontier Airlines, Republic Airlines or Chautauqua Airlines. Some flights may require connections. Fares and schedules are subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply. 

Frontier Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: RJET), an airline holding company that also owns Chautauqua Airlines, Republic Airlines and Shuttle America. Currently in its 19th year of operations, Frontier offers service to more than 80 destinations in the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. The airline employs 5,000 aviation professionals, operating from its hub at Denver International Airport. For in-depth information on Frontier Airlines and to book tickets, visit FrontierAirlines.com.