Two new cities have been added to the flight schedule for a Myrtle Beach-based airline. More new destinations may be on the way as the Myrtle Beach airport now has a marketing director to help attract new airlines.
Many airlines have cut back on service, some are near bankruptcy.
But Myrtle Beach, and one locally-based airline, seem to have found the right formula for attracting travelers during a tough economy.
Doug and Susan Jones are heading to Massachusetts to attend a wedding.
With Direct Air offering non-stop flights from Myrtle Beach to Worcester, choosing a flight was a no-brainer.
"It's just more convenient, less hassle," said Susan Jones.
Three years ago, Direct Air began with 12 flights a week to 3 cities.
Today, they offer 55 flights a week to 12 cities - all non-stop.
Their newest destinations are Springfield, Illinois and Orlando, Florida.
Direct Air's business strategy is to serve secondary airports in smaller cities. The ones the big airlines have abandoned.
"We have our niche of going to select airports that are able to help us by waiving landing fees and help us with marketing fees," said Direct Air's president, Ed Warneck.
By offering a popular destination for tourists, Myrtle Beach, and non-stop flights, Direct Air officials say they're getting plenty of attention.
"We've had all of these cities come to us asking us to develop service into Myrtle Beach so this has always been our goal," said Judy Tull, Direct Air's CEO.
It's not just Direct Air adding new destinations for Myrtle Beach.
Allegiant Air announced this month it would offer flights to Pennsylvania and West Virginia.
The airport's new marketing director says it helps that Myrtle Beach has lowered its landing fees to airlines, but there's more to it than that.
"I think it's more of a mix of support and showing airlines that we're gonna support the routes and coming up with new programs and strategies to make that work for them," said Lauren Morris, MYR's marketing director.
Passenger numbers have dropped at Myrtle Beach International, about 22% from last year, but that's happening all over.
The new marketing director says Myrtle Beach has plenty of opportunity to expand.
Direct Air says Myrtle Beach should receive an economic impact of more than $100 million as a result of the airline's service this year.
