Local leaders reflect on Vision Airlines ‘lapse', look forward to continued service
As Vision Airlines is in the process of re-evaluating its flights to and from Northwest Florida Regional Airport, community leaders in Destin stand behind the Nevada-based airline that transported more than 155,000 passengers since October 2010.
“Hopefully Vision Airlines can reassess their plan for the area, make appropriate changes to address its shortcomings and try again,” Councilman Jim Wood wrote in an email to The Log. “Unfortunately, all businesses are not successful or take multiple iterations before becoming successful.”
Vision Airlines started its service to Northwest Florida in December of 2010 with direct flights to and from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Miami, before announcing it would expand its service with direct flights to 17 additional destinations in January 2011. Vision’s flights to and from Northwest Florida are scheduled to end in February and it’s not known when, or if, those flights will resume.
Okaloosa County Airports Director Greg Donovan was out of town and couldn’t be reached by phone, but in an email to The Log, he said that Vision Airlines management confirmed there would be a “lapse in schedule” starting Feb. 28. Donovan said the airline also stated that they are determining which routes would be operated for the spring and summer schedule.
“The airport knows and has provided the airline with very specific passenger data focusing on locations that were very successful last summer,” Donovan wrote.
Vision Airlines has a written operating agreement with Northwest Florida Regional Airport in place until Sept. 30, 2013.
Destin Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Shane Moody told The Log he wasn’t surprised by the announcement and that this is a process that smaller companies go through on a regular basis.
“I don’t’ think this affects us too much,” Moody said. “Most of their markets were drive-in locations for us, so we’re still going to get those visitors.”
When the news broke that Vision Airlines would be re-evaluating its flights, locals took to social media to question whether or not Okaloosa County and local businesses made a mistake by putting too much money and support behind the airline.
“It was not a mistake to invest in this opportunity,” Moody said. “You have to take chances on these types of opportunities… this one hasn’t worked out quite the way we wanted. We need to now look for the next opportunity and capitalize on it.”
While he said Vision’s announcement was “very sad,” Legendary Inc.’s CEO Peter Bos said the decision to bring the airline to Northwest Florida was no mistake.
“They have some financial difficulties,” Bos told The Log Friday morning. “The problem is at the other end of the stream though, other airlines were jealous of Vision Airlines and wouldn’t work with them.”
Bos said that everyone along the Emerald Coast should be proud of the efforts made by the staff at Northwest Florida Regional Airport.
“Greg Donovan and the rest of the administration at VPS worked relentlessly to get Vision Airlines here,” Bos added. “They made this happen and they just have to keep working on it and make it happen again.”
Unsure of when to expect a decision on the upcoming spring and summer routes, all locals can do is sit back and wait to see what’s to become of Vision Airlines. For now, the airline is still in the process of paying back their debt to VPS, which totals $224,680.58.
“I welcome any attempt by Vision Airlines to restructure their plan, ensuring both on time, quality air service with an ability to pay their bills to all interested parties,” Wood said.
