There’s an interesting item from Reveries Magazine about
the JetBlue effect. Essentially it says that many small communities
are becoming vacation spots because of inexpensive airfares offered by
JetBlue, AirTran, Hooters, etal. One person interviewed decided to buy
a condo at Myrtle Beach instead of the Jersey Shore because the airfare
to Myrtle is so cheap and the property in Jersey so steep.
On the heels of the news that Piedmont Triad International Airport
is seeing a reduction in flights one has to wonder if the Triad is
missing an opportunity here. Granted the Triad isn’t a traditional
second-home kind of destination, but PTIA is the closest airport to the
mountains of NW North Carolina and it could be an important part of the
push to bring economic development to the western part of the state.
In fact the entire Triad could benefit from a push to be the gateway to
the beautiful, and pretty much undiscovered northwestern NC. That
would also work nicely with the burgeoning Yadkin Valley wine region.
Just a thought.
Cross posted on Winston-Salem Business.
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Befuddled 
You’re right, of course, but our cities would rather build major league ball parks for minor leage teams or give taxpayer’s money to out of town businesses who will only pull up roots before we earn our money back.
Already pointed this out on your cross-post, but Asheville has a small airport.
Billy,
I’ve watched the debate about the ballpark in Greensboro with some interest. I’ve been a lifelong fan of the Washington Bullets (Wizards) even though they haven’t won anything since I was a kid, but the owner Abe Pollin will always have my respect because he built a downtown-DC stadium with his own money and it has become the anchor for a revival in that part of town. If the owner of one of the worst franchises (in terms of wins) in major sports can do it without government handouts why can’t others?
As for the subsidies I really think it’s an arms race that no one can win. They seem to be a necessary evil right now, but why not spread the love with local entrepreneurs where I truly believe less money will go farther?
Darkmoon,
Ah, we need to make sure we own the market before Asheville gets “un-tiny.” You make a good point, but I seriously think that for destination flights from farther away PTI is a great alternative. If we can just make Western Carolina a premier tourist destination we can thinking about sharing the wealth with Asheville:)
Totally agree. We won’t have much issues with Asheville seeing the turmoil behind their political scene currently. It’s about a two hour drive though from PTIA. The closest major airport near Asheville is in SC I believe though.
We had Southwest Airlines signed, sealed, and almost delivered to PTI five years ago. Unfortunately, Midway Airlines decided to start service to Midway Airport in Chicago right before our proud announcement.
Southwest decided to switch its new NC destination to RDU, and they had a big hand in sinking Midway Airlines.
Tis’ a shame for the Triad, though.