AirTran Speaks The Truth About Our Airport

For years, the Airport Authority has been saying many airlines refuse to serve the existing airport because its runways are too short. Local “aviation experts,” including a outspoken former airline “executive,” say that’s nonsense.

AirTran spoke the truth about our existing airport in an article that appeared in the Atlanta Journal Constitution – and in doing so, proved our local “experts” wrong once again. Here’s what AirTran said:

John Kirby, director of strategic planning and scheduling for AirTran Airways, said AirTran has met with Panama City airport officials several times over the years but would not even consider service because of the current airport’s runway limitations.

“Given the fact Panama City is a popular resort area, it [the new airport] will create more general industry interest than you’ve seen before,” Kirby said of the new facility. “Certainly it’s something we can now consider looking at.”

I know for a fact that other airlines, including American Airlines, have said they will not serve the existing airport because of the short runways. But American and others have said they would look closely at opportunities at the new airport.

As Joe Tannehill has said many times, we have to work together to bring new service to Panama City.

Now is our opportunity.