Airport Info
News & Gallery
News
For Immediate Release:
Direct Air Announces Service to Hagerstown Regional Airport
Contact:
Norman Bassett 240-313-2077
(Hagerstown, MD — March 30, 2011) South Carolina-based Direct Air announced new air service to Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR), with destinations of Lakeland, Florida and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on March 30th, 2011. Direct Air will begin providing 150 passenger jet service on Boeing 737-400 planes from HGR to Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in the “Orlando West” region of Florida and non-stop service to Myrtle Beach, beginning June 23rd.
In ceremonies at the airport Hagerstown Airport Director Phil Ridenour said, “For months now, residents of Washington County and the tri-state area have been asking for air service to popular destinations in Florida and Myrtle Beach. Now through many years of talks and our most recent negotiations with Direct Air, we have answered these requests not only with service to Florida but to Myrtle Beach as well.”
County Commissioner William McKinley said that the Commissioners “are elated” over the service coming to Hagerstown, and that the challenge set for HGR staff has been met.
McKinley thanked Direct Air for providing the service, as well as airport Marketing Director Greg Larsen and Ridenour for making the plan come to fruition. He cited service to the community and economic development as facets of the plan.
“It says to the Community, we have things happening here, things are looking up and bigger things are coming”, McKinley said.
Stan Rydelek, Sales Director of Direct Air said the service is part of an overall expansion of airline operations, which has been flying non-stop and direct flight service to a number of destinations since 2007
“We are excited to be expanding our presence in Myrtle Beach and Central Florida with the introduction of Hagerstown service. We believe a long and very successful partnership with Hagerstown Regional Airport and the surrounding community will develop quickly as we work together to accomplish our common goals.”
In a news release Judy Tull, CEO of Direct Air said “Direct Air has built a strong niche service developing underserved markets offering convenient service via smaller, secondary airports as an alternative to high fares and lengthy travel times at big airports.”
Ed Warneck, President of Direct Air believes the Lakeland Region will be attractive to travelers because of its strategic location situated between Orlando and Tampa / St. Petersburg on Florida’s west coast. Passengers will find it as convenient and an economical alternative to the busy and stressful larger airports in Orlando and Tampa. Myrtle Beach has always been a favorite vacation and golf destination to the residents and communities surrounding Hagerstown. The quick convenient one and a half hour flight will allow more time to enjoy their vacation.
As part of the opening celebration, Direct Air is offering passengers flying between these new markets a special introductory fare of “$79 for 79 Hours”. This promotion begins on Wednesday, March 30th and will end Saturday, April 2nd at midnight. Direct Air will begin with two flights per week, Thursday and Sunday. Reservations can be booked at www.visitdirectair.com or by calling Direct Air’s Reservations Department at 1-877-432-3473.
The company is pleased to add Lakeland, FL, and Hagerstown, MD to its current markets: Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Newark, N.J.; Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Columbus, Oh.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Toledo, Oh.; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Worcester, Mass.; Allentown, Pa.; Rockford, Ill.; Springfield, Ill.; Melbourne, Fla.; Orlando-Sanford, Fla.; Punta Gorda, Fla., and West Palm Beach, Fla.
Share Us