Vision Air has been trying to gain a regional airline certificate for two years in order to expand its service from its limited charter operations and last week gained DOT approval for new services. The fledgling carrier, with a fleet of Dornier 228s and 328Jets, must still gain its FAA certificate which, said General Manager Warren Kaplan, is expected by June. Once certificated, it plans to add Scottsdale-North Las Vegas service.
It currently is limited to four scheduled flights weekly on a single route, but now only has twice weekly service between its North Las Vegas base and Williams Gateway Airport at Mesa, Ariz. However, it hopes to begin airline services by June, according Kaplan. The operator has plans to make Mesa a hub for its operations and expansion plans call for Mesa-Laughlin and Southern California. The Williams Gateway Airport at Mesa will be helping with route plans through its web-based “We need you” list, which gathers passenger preferences. Top picks thus far include Las Vegas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago.
Williams Gateway Airport is also being considered by SkyValue, a Florida-based charter operator, which currently links Mesa and Gary, Ind. SkyValue plans to add a leg to Ontario, Calif this summer. It may add Rockford, Ill., equidistant between Chicago and Milwaukee, to its network as well. Rockford, through an economic partnership, is talking to several airlines, promising $12 million to start services and $500,000 in marketing money. While several airlines have pledged to fly to Mesa, any destination from Rockford must be willing to contribute to marketing costs. Rockford also gained support in the Mesa airport passenger preference survey. All of the top five destinations from Mesa are currently at some point in bringing them to fruition except Denver and the airport has its sights set on gaining that service as well.