May 22, 2010
SRQ Airport adds two new direct flights – Is Germany Next?
As an economic developer trying to recruit companies to locate within Manatee County, I have to say that the airport is a key driver for the EDC when we are recruiting to the area. Many companies that we visit with are pleasantly surprised that we offer direct flights to so many destinations from this area. The current non-stop service destinations served from SRQ airport include the following: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, New York, Toronto, and Washington D.C.
In the last couple of weeks it has been announced that AirTran will bring a direct flight to Milwaukee starting on November 18. Jet Blue also announced that they will begin providing daily service from Boston also starting on November 18. The airport is also closing in on a deal with Condor Airlines in Germany to provide two direct flights a week to the world’s 4th largest economy starting in 2011. The EDC is keeping its fingers crossed on that deal as well since Germany is a country that holds a lot of economic development potential for Manatee County.
This is obviously incredible news as our ability to gain more exposure to the world will increase significantly through these airport offerings. We are fortunate to already be in a region of Florida that offers direct flights all over the United States and world. Having this critical resource makes us that much tougher to compete with for a new company that is looking to invest in the region.
Eric Basinger
Sharon Hillstrom
Lauren Kratsch
marybmanateeedc
