September 13,2104
SLO Airport manager Kevin Bumen says talks are continuing with Alaska Airlines to start up daily flights to Seattle from San Luis Obispo.
“We have more meetings scheduled” says Bumen, who has been talking to the country’s 6th largest airline, based in Seattle for several months.
Bumen says Alaska is interested in San Luis Obispo “because of our diversity with demand coming from both the leisure and business markets.” Both communities have strong tourist and high-tech, college-supported economies.
Currently SLO is connected only to LAX and Phoenix with regular scheduled flights. Offering regular service to Seattle would connect SLO area residents to the gateway to the Pacific Northwest as well as Hawaii and a host of international destinations out the Seattle- Tacoma airport.
pictured: Pikes Market in Seattle. International destinations from Seattle
Seattle is of course home to some well known companies with a huge aerospace industry led by Boeing said to employ 82,000 as well, Microsoft, Costco and Alaska Airlines and the Port of Seattle. to name some.
San Luis Obispo reputation as a tourist destination continues to grow as well as a retirement haven, acclaimed wine region and now high-tech startup hub. The fastest growing companies in SLO now include Mind Body, Digital West and Rosetta, all nourished by affiliations with CalPoly University and the talent that it generates.Over 40% of our population age 25 and above holds a college degree or higher.
In addition, all we enjoy could be attractive to Washington residents starved for sun much of the year but seeking a more lay back destination.
Bumen says Alaska would likely their 70 passenger CRJ-700 jets here.
Boosting chances Alaska may give SLO a try is that fact that the airline is clearly in expansion mode having just added their 77 nonstop desintaion from Seattle to Detroit earlier this month. A press account recently says “By the end of next spring, Alaska Airlines plans to expand its Seattle departure by 11%, increasing the tally of daily flights from Tacoma International Airport to 280 from the current 253. The carrier has already introduced flights to New Orleans and Tampa as part of that plan and is set to launch new services further to Baltimore, Detroit, Albuquerque and Cancun by Nov 2014.”
Allowing the company to serve new areas are plans well underway to cease several daily flights to some destinations prompting an official to say “While it’s unfortunate to eliminate service to any market, these moves are part of our strategy to strengthen the performance of Alaska Airlines’ network,” Andrew Harrison, the airline’s vice president of planning and revenue management, said in the release. “By exiting under performing markets, we’re able to redeploy aircraft and begin flying to new and underserved markets from Seattle.”
Demand for seats at the SLO airport continue strong this summer with year-to-date passenger numbers up around 15% over year’s pace says Bumen.
More expansion news – looks good for SLO to start on its new $28 million passenger terminal as soon as next year hopes Bumen, if all goes right.
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