Improving air travel is an ongoing effort by Onslow County.
The expansion of air travel is critical for the community to create additional jobs, open the region to more business and tourism, while also providing easier access to other parts of the United States.
Travelers departing from the Albert J. Ellis Aiport may soon have a new destination – The Lonestar State.
The Department of Transportation has awarded a grant through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) to support efforts to expand air travel between Jacksonville and other regional transportation hubs.
Part of this scholarship is aimed at providing service to Dallas because central Texas is said to be popular with travelers. Approximately 50% of airport passengers are destined for cities west of Mississippi.
Combined with fee waivers and local marketing investments, the grant is designed to help airlines mitigate the major financial risk associated with starting a new flight service. It funds part of the initial marketing effort required to let the community know about the new flights.
A press release from district officials said, “An NCDOT study released in 2021, OAJ supports over 3,460 jobs in the area and generates over $ 565 million in economic activity, which is nearly $ 20 million annually in state and local Produce taxes. “
Going forward, these numbers are expected to increase with additional passengers and choices, especially as passengers find the service at the OAJ increasingly convenient.
Central continent connection
Dallas would make traveling west easier and more convenient.
A flight to Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport would increase the number of one-stop destinations by 35% (from 229 to 310).
“Convenience is a key element for travelers to choose their departure airport, and it is one of many steps OAJ has taken to provide a safe, healthy and easy travel experience,” the press release said.
Previous funding has proven profitable
This isn’t the first time the OAJ has used a similar grant to give passengers more options.
In 2005 the district received a SCASDP grant and two years later it was able to successfully win Delta Air Lines. The airline remains with OAJ to this day.
“This program has successfully brought new and expanded air connections to many cities and with the support of the community we will bring similar success to our region,” said airport director Chris White. “Ultimately, the development of air travel is an economic development that creates jobs and strengthens the capacities of our community with the added benefit of bringing families and friends together. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to fly straight from OAJ to the Lone Star State. ”
Since late 2020 and into 2021, OAJ has been bringing traffic back to pre-pandemic levels, driven in part by historic beach tourism, family reunions and increasing construction activity in the region.
NOTE: Over 9.3 million passengers have flown through OAJ in the past 50 years and, despite the pandemic in FY 2021, over 271,000 passengers visited the airport.
Reporter Trevor Dunnell can be reached by email at tdunnell@jdnews.com. Please consider supporting local journalism by signing up for a digital subscription for just $ 1 a month. JDNews.com.subscribenow
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