MultiAero, Inc. Starts Metro-East Service At MidAmerica Airport
Experts Say It Can Target Niche Markets
MidAmerica Airport, Illinois (March 11, 2002) -- This morning at 7:30, a Missouri company begins new service at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport.
MultiAero, Inc., based in Festus, Missouri will offer four flights a week to Chicago's Midway Airport through its new ShareAFlight program. The flight to Chicago leaves at 7:30 a.m. and returns to MidAmerica by 7 p.m. Flights will be offered Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Fares range from $420 to $600 roundtrip, depending on the type of aircraft. The company plans to use aircraft that seat between four and nine people.
Bill Oliver, an airline industry analyst in the Denver area, said he believes the company's services will only work for a certain type of passenger, one for whom cost is not a primary consideration.
"This airline seems to be going after a very small market, a niche market," he said. "I think it's going to be challenging.
"If you're going to Chicago as a group, and cost is not your main consideration, then this is a good idea."
Company officials have said the flights will save business travelers time over flying commercially. They say customers will be required to arrive at MidAmerica only 15 minutes before departure, compared to the waits required at large airports like Lambert-St. Louis International, which last at least an hour.
Greg Golden, vice president of sales and marketing for ShareAFlight, has said the new service was designed to be more convenient. The ShareAFlight program also offers customers the chance to join a customer-created charter flight. Individuals and organizations also can reserve airplanes exclusively.
The company's business model is similar to that of Indigo Aviation, a company calling itself "the corporate jet airline" that offers service between Midway and Teterboro, N.J., near New York City.
Steve Lott, business editor at Aviation Daily, a trade publication, had a mixed reaction to MultiAero, Inc.'s ideas. He said ShareAFlight's fares seem high, and he noted many companies are cutting back travel budgets. But if ShareAFlight successfully targets a niche, its services could be attractive.
"I think there's a market there," he said.
St. Clair County transportation officials are preparing a request for federal funds to extend the MetroLink light-rail line out to MidAmerica, which U.S. Rep Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, said he expects to get soon. He said commercial air service at the airport would be helpful, but welcomed the news of the ShareAFlight service.
"Any new service at MidAmerica is welcome," he said.
Taulby Roach, a consultant to the St. Clair County Transit District, said he expects the request for funding to be submitted this spring. He also welcomed the new service and does not believe the return of commercial service is a prerequisite for funding.
Information provided by the Belleville News-Democrat
DAVID VAN DEN BERG Article © the Belleville News-Democrat
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