Southern Airways Express (9X, Memphis International) is in talks regarding the launch of scheduled passenger operations from Youngstown/Warren to Detroit Metropolitan and Baltimore International, local newspaper The Vindicator has reported.
The regional specialist could partially replace the capacity lost following the upcoming departure of Allegiant Air (G4, Las Vegas Harry Reid). The LCC is currently the sole commercial airline at Youngstown/Warren and operates 2x weekly to each of Orlando Sanford and St. Petersburg/Clearwater, but announced it will terminate both services effective January 4, 2018. It cited low demand as the main reason for its withdrawal.
The Vienna Township authorities are hopeful that Southern Airways Express, operating under a wholly different business model with a fleet of twenty-two, nine-passenger Cessna (single turboprop) Caravans 208Bs, can operate profitably to major nearby airports.
Since Youngstown/Warren is located less than 110 kilometres from Pittsburgh International airport, a major hub, it is not eligible for essential air services (EAS) contracts. Twelve out of twenty-one routes flown by Southern Airways Express are under EAS contracts, The Vindicator pointed out.
Southern Airways Express is currently working on interline agreements with major carriers which could boost the attractiveness of its potential service from Youngstown/Warren, the airline's Chief Commercial Officer Mark Cestari said.
