Gainesville Regional Airport Conducts Survey to Bolster Airline Pitch

As part of ongoing air service development efforts, Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is preparing a business case to pitch a new airline offering opportunities to connect in either Newark (EWR) or Washington-Dulles (IAD.)

The airport is conducting a market survey to quantify area travelers’ preference of airport use in the New York City metro area as well as Washington-Baltimore. The survey aims to illustrate whether there is sufficient support for a non-stop route to one metro airport versus connecting through a network hub to their preferred metro airport.

“We have to find out if enough travelers prefer flying direct into Newark instead of making one-stop on the way to LaGuardia or Kennedy,” says airport CEO Allan Penksa.

Airport officials acknowledge the challenge of obtaining nonstop service to either metro for a city of moderate population.  “New York and DC are two of the most popular metro areas in the world and competition for slots is very competitive,” adds Penksa. LaGuardia, Kennedy, Newark and Reagan National all fall under the “High Density Rule” or “Slot Rule” established by congress in 1969.

“Gainesville is a market dominated by business travelers,” says airport Public Relations Manager Laura Aguiar. “LaGuardia (LGA) or Reagan International (DCA) may be the first choices for our travelers to get to their business contacts. But there is no availability of slots at those airports for a community of our size.”

Aguiar recently represented GNV and the community at an air service development conference and learned that many of the major network carriers will be focused on up-gauging existing flights out of New York by using larger planes. But no new destinations are likely to be added. “There was a lot of mention about trans-continental flights and adding premium services that will impact carrier revenue.”

Niche carriers and new entrants often offer service point to point, looking for an under-served market segment. GNV airport staff will send passenger statistics and results of the survey to the airline by the end of November.

“If there is even a small chance at a non-stop route to one of these metro airports, we need to pursue it” Penksa says. “With so few opportunities, we cannot afford to pass one by.”