I can not possibly understand how there is a market in Panama city for 8 Southwest flights a day. It simply does not make a whole lot of sense to me, logistically? The few times I have been into that airport, it has been for the most part, dead. In the northwest florida offseason, oct-feb, there is almost nobody there tourist wise, albeit Tyndall and Eglin AFB, and the the naval facilities, but those are clear up in Pensacola, and PNS has more daily commercial departures than MOB, VPS, and PFN combined.
I can not possibly understand how there is a market in Panama city for 8 Southwest flights a day. It simply does not make a whole lot of sense to me, logistically? The few times I have been into that airport, it has been for the most part, dead. In the northwest florida offseason, oct-feb, there is almost nobody there tourist wise, albeit Tyndall and Eglin AFB, and the the naval facilities, but those are clear up in Pensacola, and PNS has more daily commercial departures than MOB, VPS, and PFN combined.
Tyndall AFB is near Panama City (PFN)
Approximately 60 miles to the west, VPS is a joint use facility. The runway there is owned by Eglin AFB.
VPS=Ft. Walton Beach AND Eglin AFB.
You did get the naval facilities correct, they are in Pensacola, 120 miles west of Panama City.
WN has a decent presence in MSY so from that standpoint, PFN is farthest away from MSY for purposes of not competing with yourself.
In the end, it was the money from St. Joe that made the decision for WN.
If someone as big as St. Joe Paper gives you a guarantee that you won't lose money for three years, you don't really care whether the market supports 8 flights a day in the winter. It will certainly support 8 flights/day in summer and during Spring Break.
Approximately 60 miles to the west, VPS is a joint use facility. The runway there is owned by Eglin AFB.
VPS=Ft. Walton Beach AND Eglin AFB.
You did get the naval facilities correct, they are in Pensacola, 120 miles west of Panama City.
WN has a decent presence in MSY so from that standpoint, PFN is farthest away from MSY for purposes of not competing with yourself.
In the end, it was the money from St. Joe that made the decision for WN.
If someone as big as St. Joe Paper gives you a guarantee that you won't lose money for three years, you don't really care whether the market supports 8 flights a day in the winter. It will certainly support 8 flights/day in summer and during Spring Break.
I am a bit puzzled as to why you chose to contradict the geographics of my statement. Tyndall is near panama city, yes well aware. You gave me credit for getting the naval facilities correct, I probably could have guessed where NAS was since I live there? You then informed me that VPS and Eglin AFB are the same airport, probably figured that out when I flew a mission there last saturday?
My only statement was that I do not feel that Southwest will have a booming market in PFN. You then argued geographics telling me that I dont know the area? Thanks meathead!
I am a bit puzzled as to why you chose to contradict the geographics of my statement. Tyndall is near panama city, yes well aware. You gave me credit for getting the naval facilities correct, I probably could have guessed where NAS was since I live there? You then informed me that VPS and Eglin AFB are the same airport, probably figured that out when I flew a mission there last saturday?
My only statement was that I do not feel that Southwest will have a booming market in PFN. You then argued geographics telling me that I dont know the area? Thanks meathead!
You stated that Tyndall, Eglin and the naval facilities were in the Pensacola area. I was clearing it up for the people that don't live in the redneck riviera.
The booming market is irrelevant for three years, thats when the subsidies from St. Joe expire.
I think it is counter-productive in the grand scheme of things for SWA to be flying 8 flights a day to a podunk field that has to pay them to fly there. It stinks like the Government EAS program. Not every cow town deserves airline service.
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