Forum aims to restore flights from SB to San Jose
The Santa Barbara Airport and the Goleta Valley Chamber of Commerce are hosting a town hall meeting tomorrow to discuss the economic implications of losing direct flight service between Santa Barbara and San Jose.
SkyWest Airlines discontinued its five daily flights to San Jose last month, leaving businesses that rely on brisk service to that city wondering where to turn.
“The loss of direct service to San Jose is a serious issue for the South Coast business community,” said Brett Caine, president of Citrix Online, a software development company based in Santa Barbara. Citrix is a co-sponsor of the forum.
Caine said high-tech firms rely on direct flights for easy access to the Silicon Valley.
“By mobilizing the community to take action, I’m confident we will be able to build sufficient support to convince the airlines to reinstate some level of direct service.”
When SkyWest announced in February that it intended to discontinue flights to San Jose, airport officials said San Jose-based flights had a mere 30 percent booking average, rendering the service economically infeasible.
SkyWest was at least the second airline to take an unsuccessful crack at flying from Santa Barbara to San Jose.
A few years ago, United Airlines discontinued its service. However, due to outcry from the area’s technology firms, SkyWest quickly picked up the ball.
But in the midst of a protracted economic recession, it remains to be seen if any airline will take a shot.
Some hoped that SkyWest would simply reduce the number of daily flights. But this apparently didn’t occur.
At the forum, Kevin Shorr, an airport service consultant, will address options available to businesses, including private and charter services.
According to a news release announcing the forum, many businesses feel quick and convenient air travel to the San Jose plays a key role in their ability to promote long-term growth.
The forum is at noon at Citrix Online, 6500 Hollister Ave.
Comment on this article
Airport : 7/20/2010
So why the ##&*!^* are we doing the 50mil terminal?? We can barely keep a steady airline here and everyone I know loves our easy little airport. Buerocratitis?
Is this a joke? : 7/20/2010
The SBA Airport terminal project is critical so flights and schedules can be expanded to meet market demand.
“By mobilizing the community to take action, I’m confident we will be able to build sufficient support to convince the airlines to reinstate some level of direct service.” "Mobilizing the community to take action?" This protest or demonstration to demand a private corporation increase their money-losing service for sale is most bizarre. I celebrate free speech and demonstrations to promote social change for the good, but this seems like nothing but a big spender member in the Goleta Chamber of Commerce demanding something back for their dues paid.
I am sure that SkyWest airline will be glad to offer flight service to San Jose if the members of Goleta Chamber pay ahead of time with a million dollar retainer so SkyWest knows they will not lose money on this.
Besides, a drive to San Jose only is five to six hours long, depending on where there one is going and the local traffic congestion there. A commercial airline flight process might be two to three hours long from door to door, so the point of this protest demonstration is so bigshots at Citrix can save three hours on a trip?
Is a hunger strike next?
Flight to Vegas : 7/20/2010
How about restoring the flight to Vegas? I think there would be quite a market for that flight.
Goleta Resident
: 7/20/2010
We're also losing the daily flight to Sacramento. After ExpressJet stopped branded service (and therefore flights to San Diego and Sacramento), Horizon added the flight. Now that service will cease August 22nd.
I, too, would appreciate a direct flight to vegas again. I don't believe it was a money loser (as it was always full when I was on it), and I can hardly believe the same flight from Santa Maria is just as full.
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