Harrah's Casino And MidAmerica Airport Strike A Deal
Allegiant Air Charter Jet To Fly Gamblers To Laughlin, NV
MidAmerica Airport, Illinois (March 7, 2003) -- A charter airliner will lift off from St. Louis MidAmerica Airport's runway at the end of May to fly gamblers to a Nevada resort.
Harrah's will charter the flight on an Allegiant Air MD-87 aircraft, which will bring up to 135 passengers from MidAmerica to visit Harrah's casino and hotel in Laughlin, Nevada.
This is the first flight chartered into MidAmerica by Harrah's, said airport Director Tim Cantwell.
Harrah's officials considered MidAmerica because of its free parking, low operational costs and gate availability, said Allegiant Air Service Inc. spokesman Mark Peterson.
"(Harrah's) may elect to return there another time and make it a regular stop," Peterson said. "They know the market is there for them, but it may be a matter of how many times."
The charter airline has considered MidAmerica for at least seven months, Cantwell said. "We have always felt that we can be a good fit for charter airlines," Cantwell said.
Harrah's arranges travel packages from cities throughout the country once a month or quarterly, Peterson said, depending on the market and the guests.
Harrah's charter flights currently use Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Harrah's St. Louis casino is located in Maryland Heights, Mo.
Specifics regarding the price and availability of the MidAmerica package weren't completed yet, said Harrah's spokesman Lorraine Rich.
In January, Air Florida Airways Corp. announced it would put its headquarters at MidAmerica. Air Florida is still putting together the finances for the aviation company, but expects to begin flying to 10 destinations from MidAmerica beginning June 1.
St. Clair County approved the issuing of up to $150 million in either taxable or tax-exempt revenue bonds for the company. Air Florida will be responsible for repaying the bonds.
Last month, officials discussed the construction of a new cargo terminal at an estimated cost of $6 million.
The 50,000-square-foot building would be 90 percent funded by federal dollars and would allow for quick transfer of manufactured goods, such as auto parts.
Drawings of the cargo areas showed planes off-loading cargo into trucks parked at one of the 37 bays on the other side of the building.
Offices could be constructed in a mezzanine level.
Detailed plans for cargo facilities will be completed the end of May, Cantwell said. Cantwell wouldn't say whether the airport has been contacted by any prospective freight companies.
Information provided by the Belleville News-Democrat
Beth Hundsdorfer Article © the Belleville News-Democrat
| 
Email
Return to Home Page