Local Lehigh Valley Tourism To Benefit From New AirTran Routes.
When I first saw the press release from Lehigh Valley International Airport’s business development director Susan Kittle about the new AirTran routes to Atlanta it did not make a major impression with me. It seemed like the usual slow growth strategies we have grown accustom to when it comes to major airline announcements here in the Lehigh Valley. But thanks to another snow day, I had time to review the announcement in more detail. Daily service to Atlanta, leaving at 6AM and arriving in Atlanta by 8:00AM, makes the rest of the world’s travel destinations a reality leaving from our convenient, easy to navigate, security friendly, affordable parking home airport!
Imagine this: I can leave Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) at 6:00AM, and be in Los Angeles by 12:15PM for an afternoon meeting for $251 one way. The return trip of $190.40 brings me back to LVIA at 12:15AM the next day. Not that I would suggest this whirlwind travel trip, but hey for $441.80 (tax inc.) round trip this could make a lot of business travelers and their CFO’s very happy!
The flip side to this equation is how it opens up the Lehigh Valley and Poconos tourism markets! In the past this same flight into ABE would cost you $600+ (tax inc.) These higher prices would drive meeting business into Newark or Philadelphia airports and often cause meeting planners to choose a hotel or conference center closer to that airport for obvious reasons. Now if Olympus decides to bring all their sales associates into Center Valley, they can conveniently and affordably fly them into ABE.
If it keeps snowing, I will check out some other hot spots for a Spring Break!
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