Day Jet Expands Again

In response to the continuing dilution of regional airline services, DayJet Corporation rolled out a 30 percent expansion of its per-seat, on-demand service network with the addition of two primary DayPort™ and 14 secondary DayStop™ markets. Orlando and St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. are the latest DayPort markets to gain direct connectivity to more than 60 community airports across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Since the launch of its service last October, DayJet tripled its core DayPort service network. In Florida alone, 83 percent of the state’s population now lives within 40-miles of a DayPort airport. With the recent service expansion, the company is continuing it plans to grow service operations into Southeastern states with the addition of new DayStop markets in Anderson, SC; Asheville, NC; Atlanta, GA; Athens, GA; Birmingham, AL; Gulfport, MS; Greenville, SC; New Orleans, LA; Rock Hill, SC; and Tuscaloosa, AL.
“As commercial carriers continue to reduce service in response to rising fuel costs, the communities beyond airline hubs suffer the consequences,” stated DayJet president and CEO Ed Iacobucci. “The rapid contraction of regional transportation options is causing many Southeastern communities to become increasingly isolated. With few or no flight options, business travelers in these communities are forced to spend more time on travel. We are solving this problem today by expanding our efficient and affordable jet service to the communities that need it the most.”

Shrinking Transportation Options
The nation’s air transportation system is facing a crisis. Nowhere is this more evident than in short-haul, small- and medium-sized markets, noted the company. As scheduled airlines improve efficiency by focusing on higher-volume markets, flying larger aircraft less frequently and on longer flights, business professionals conducting regional business are losing most of their air travel options.
“This year alone, regional air carriers have scaled back, eliminated or announced plans to withdraw service from medium and small communities around the country – including many current DayJet markets in Florida such as Gainesville, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, Sarasota and St. Petersburg-Clearwater in addition to Montgomery, Ala. and Savannah, Ga.,” said Day Jet. “Hundreds more markets nationwide are expected to suffer further service reductions by year’s end.”

Orlando: Business Hot Spot
DayJet will operate from fixed based operator (FBO) Sheltair Aviation Services at Orlando Executive Airport (ORL). Located in central Florida’s Orange County, Orlando is the nation’s 27th largest metropolitan area with a total population over two million. Consistently ranked among the strongest economies in the country, Orlando is recognized internationally as an innovation hot spot and top city for entrepreneurs and business.
However, the Official Airline Guide reports that the number of scheduled seats departing Orlando is expected to drop by nearly 6,900 per day, and by next December, there will be 13 percent fewer seats available on scheduled flights.

St. Petersburg: Birthplace of Scheduled Aviation
DayJet will operate from fixed based operator (FBO) Sheltair Aviation Services at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). St. Petersburg-Clearwater is situated on Florida’s West Coast in Pinellas County along Tampa Bay – the nation’s 19th largest metropolitan area with a total population of 2.7 million. Recognized for strong job growth and high quality of life, St. Petersburg-Clearwater is also known as the birthplace of scheduled aviation.
St. Petersburg Deputy Mayor Dave Metz said: “DayJet is a breath of fresh air to communities like St. Petersburg. The ability to fly DayJet direct to more than 60 destinations across the southeast is a strategic boost to our existing air service.”