WAFF.com: North Alabama News, Radar, Weather, Sports and Jobs-Huntsville International Airport scouting low-cost airlines
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By Monica Rix – email
Posted by Dana Franks - email
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) - It's tough to find a cheap flight these days. And even then, you may have to fly out of Birmingham, Nashville or Atlanta to get a good deal. But lower fares may be in Huntsville's future.
Flying through Huntsville International Airport can be pricey. Right now, the airport has the nation's highest fares, but officials are hoping to change that.
"We want to get our airfares competitive with other regions," said Congressman Parker Griffith.
Griffith was on hand Tuesday morning to help announce the airport's plans to lure a low-cost carrier to the area. The Huntsville Airport Authority is applying for a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Transportation to help with operation costs.
Airport officials are not only hoping this low-cost carrier brings its low fares to the airport, but creates competition among Huntsville's other airlines to reduce their ticket prices.
On the list of possible carriers: Jet Blue, AirTran and Southwest.
"But Southwest is already located north and west of our community, so we're trying to look at other options that will being something new to our region," said airport spokeswoman Barbie Peek.
Airport officials said they've made improvements to the facility over the years, even attracting other carriers temporarily.
But at the top of the list has been attracting low fares. We want to be the No. 1 customer service airport in the nation," Peek said.
"And make it much more economically feasible to offer service at a better fare," Griffith added.
The Airport Authority will know the status of the DOT's grant as soon as this month. They're hoping it will come through, helping them attract another airline as soon as possible.
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C'mon, play. You know you want to. The boss will never know.
