Updates about Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (NWFBIA)

[Kurt]

Airport “Coming Together” for May 23 Opening — The New ECP

Overall construction of the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport is now 93 percent complete as workers rush to meet a May 23 grand opening date, officials said last week.
“Everything is on schedule and looking good,” said Jeff Dealy of KBR, program manager for the $318 million airport relocation project. “It’s all coming together in April”…
…The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has scheduled a final pre-inspection of the 10,000-foot runway for mid-April and a concluding inspection for mid-May, he said.
FAA officials already conducted a successful flight inspection of the runway earlier this month.
In addition, all of the outlying structures of the $63 million seven-building terminal complex — minus the terminal building, which is about 92 percent complete — is expected to be turned over to the Airport Authority by mid-April, Dealy said…
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[scooterbug44]

I can see delta flying in the MD88's but reducing the # of flights per day from Atlanta. I think they have 8 flights per day now. I see no reason why they couldn't reduce this to 5 or 6 with bigger planes until demand grows.

Delta is going to have to SEVERELY step up its customer service (like actually start providing some) if it wants to fill those planes!

My last experience flying with them was such an infuriating cluster from start to finish that I can't wait to fly Southwest (or basically any airline but Dont Expect to Leave The Airport)! :angry:

 

[Kurt]

 

[GoodWitch58]

In case anyone is interested in the new airport and Southwest, this looks like a good presentation. Commuity is invited. "You are invited to "The Sky's The Limit Airport Conference" tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the GCCC Conference Center of Student Union East. This conference is co-sponsored by Gulf Coast Community College and the Airport Authority.

The new airport in the West Bay region of Bay County is the first new airport in the United States built since 9-11 and may transform our region in the next few years and decades. Our speakers will include representatives from the St. Joe Company and all of the local Economic Development offices. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Jack Kasarda who is the foremost world expert on the community "aerotropolis" which grows around a new airport. Come to see how our region will likely change in the future.

We will also have a speaker from Southwest Airlines who talk about our new air service and lower prices to fly in and out of our area. Tourist Development Council speakers from Bay and Walton counties will speak about more tourism dollars coming to the region."


2nd April 2010
9:00 am - noon
GCCC Conference Center

Welcome Dr. Kerley

St Joe Rod Wilson

Economic Development Panel Discussion
Kevin Johnson, Rick Marcum, Dawn Moliterno,
Ed Nelson, Jimmy Patronis, Janet Watermeier
Al Wenstrand, facilitator

Keynote Dr. Kasarda

Southwest Airlines Dana Williams

Tourist Development Dan Rowe
Sonny Mares

Closing Remarks Randy Curtis

 

[Hop]

FOXNews.com - They Have THAT at the Airport?

 

[Diane4145]

New appreciation for living here, in paradise!

After seeing the $ and difficulties people have to get here, I have a new appreciation!

Does anyone know if the Northwest Florida "International" airport will make it easier for our international friends to get here? Right now, friends in Germany who fly Lufthansa rent a car in Orlando or sometimes from Atlanta. Will Southwest airlines or any airline flying into new airport strike a deal with airlines like Lufthansa so travelers can book directly into our SoWal area? As it is now, these friends are not able to book to this area directly. With the Patriot Act, they must fly back and forth to Germany every three months. Better connections would sure make it easier for them and encourage their friends to visit. They are very excited about the new airport being only 20 or so minutes from their beach house in SoWal.

While I'm at it, I hope the taxi service being developed to serve this international and well traveled national group is up to the task. The last time our friends flew into the area and took a taxi from the airport to SoWal, the trip was horrific and they feared for their safety. The driver was over an hour late (probably had to sober up.) Vehicle was dirty and not in good working order. The finishing touches of good ground transportation must not be neglected.

 

[Kurt]

St. Joe’s future set on new Panhandle airport | jacksonville.com

Wearing a hard hat amid the construction dust of the passenger terminal for the new Northwest Florida International Beaches Airport, it's hard to imagine that Southwest Airlines' first flight out of Panama City will take off on schedule on May 23.

But Airport Authority Chairman Joe Tannehill insists the new airport will open as planned next month.

"We'll make it. The windows may not be washed, but we'll make it," he said.


They'd better. This is the first international airport built in the U.S. in 15 years, so it's receiving a lot of attention.


"In my view, it's not an option. It's [May 23] a fixed date," said Lisa Walters, a Panama City attorney who is the immediate past chairwoman of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance.


"The globe is watching us," she said.


In particular, a group of executives who currently work in a Riverside Avenue office in Jacksonville are watching closely. Many economic development officials in the Panama City area are hoping the new airport will make the region more accessible and open up new opportunities. But no one will benefit more than The St. Joe Co., the Jacksonville-based company that owns 71,000 acres immediately surrounding the airport and 300,000 acres within 40 miles of the site.


"This is really the future of our company," said Rod Wilson, president of the West Bay Sector for St. Joe. West Bay is the name given to the land adjacent to the airport that St. Joe intends to develop.

The new airport is in a remote area of Bay County surrounded by largely undeveloped land. But St. Joe and area economic officials envision practically a new city sprouting from the airport.


"We are creating a new central business district for the region," said Kevin Johnson, St. Joe's vice president of economic development who was brought in last fall to market West Bay.


"We have a greenfield opportunity," Johnson said, referring to the vast area that is basically wide open for new and planned development.


"Greenfield opportunities are an anomaly.


"This is a very tide-changing opportunity for the state of Florida."


The opportunity is so important to St. Joe that after being headquartered in Jacksonville for three-quarters of a century, the company will move its offices to a new building in West Bay next year so it can monitor development of the region more closely.


"To me, it's about moving the company where the shareholders' assets are," said St. Joe Chief Executive Officer Britt Greene.
...

 

[DuneLaker]

Southwest Airlines email features Panama City Beach photo

Got email today from Southwest Airlines with Panama City Beach photo featured. I had signed up a month or so ago to get notices. This was the first time I've noticed the new airport featured with a picture on an email promo. When you click to book a package deal, several South Walton resorts and hotels pop up - Sandestin, Seascape and Watercolor. Will be interesting to see what their booking numbers do.

 

[legstad]

Regarding international flights. There will be direct service to and from Orlando, so they should be able to connect there from their Luthansa flights. (Also, one-stop same plane service orginating from Ft. Lauderdale through Orlando) Regarding the taxis, guidelines have been established for transportation servicers that should improve service.

 

[DuneLaker]

Regarding international flights. There will be direct service to and from Orlando, so they should be able to connect there from their Luthansa flights. (Also, one-stop same plane service orginating from Ft. Lauderdale through Orlando) Regarding the taxis, guidelines have been established for transportation servicers that should improve service.

Thanks. Do you know how their baggage will connect?