Mobile Lands Via Airlines, Direct Orlando Flights

By Kelli M. Dugan

Mobile’s newest air carrier is slated not only to open a direct route to one of the nation’s largest tourist destinations, but to tap a long-underserved market for business travelers. Beginning in May, Maitland, Florida-based Via Airlines will offer nonstop service four times a week between the Orlando Sanford International and Mobile Regional airports aboard its 50-passenger Embraer regional jets.

“We were trying to fill a void with a destination we didn’t have with Orlando, and this represents a good mix for business and leisure travel,” said Chris Curry, executive director of the Mobile Airport Authority, which oversees Mobile Regional, Mobile Downtown Airport at Brookley and Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley.

In addition to Via Airlines, Mobile Regional is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, which combine to serve nonstop destinations from the Port City to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Houston. Curry said the airport authority’s current wish-list destinations include the Washington, D.C. area, New York area and Denver market.The Via Airlines contract provides the Mobile region nonstop jet service to “all that Central Florida has to offer,” he said.  “Orlando is known as home of Disney World, but will also provide business travelers between Central Florida and Mobile with time and cost savings, which is invaluable in this global economy,” Curry said.

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