Airport Announces Non-Stop Service to Detroit; Denver Service to Continue
From the Greater Rockford Airport Authority
For Immediate Release: March 20, 2008
For more Information Contact:
Bob O’Brien, Executive Director
815-969-4444; bob@flyrfd.com
Rockford, IL - At a press conference held today, the Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) announced that Southern Skyways, a scheduled public charter and the same carrier currently providing service from RFD to Myrtle Beach (tickets on sale now, first flight May 23rd) will also provide non-stop service to Denver and Detroit beginning Friday, June 6, 2008. Flights will depart from RFD three times-a-week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Based on demand, additional flights will be added.
On Tuesday, United Airlines announced that they would discontinue service from RFD to Denver after June 4, 2008. Detroit was previously serviced by Northwest Airlines from May 2005 - January 2006.
DETROIT & DENVER SCHEDULE
Monday, Wednesday, & Friday (all times are local at specified city)
DETROIT
* Depart RFD: 7am
* Arrive DTW: 9am
* Depart DTW: 10am
* Arrive RFD: 10am
DENVER
* Depart RFD: 11am
* Arrive DEN: 12:30pm
* Depart DEN: 1:30pm
* Arrive RFD: 5pm
“For some time now, we have been working closely with United on alternatives for continuing the Denver service, but with the high cost of jet fuel and the limitations of the 50-seat regional jet, we realized that was not going to happen,” said Executive Director Bob O’Brien.
O’Brien said that airport staff and commissioners have been in discussions with Southern Skyways (and others) regarding additional destinations for quite some time. “After realizing that United was planning to discontinue service, our attention shifted from working on additional opportunities, to replacement service to Denver. We are absolutely thrilled with their decision to provide non-stop jet service to Detroit and Denver at very reasonably-priced fares,” said O’Brien.
Southern Skyways will offer an “Introductory Fare Sale” price of $99* to/from Denver and $79* to/from Detroit (fares are one-way before applicable taxes and fees). Tickets for this fare special can be booked beginning Noon on Monday, March 24 through Sunday, March 30, 2008.
O’Brien said that during this Fare Sale, all seats on every flight during the month of June will be made available at this introductory low fare rate. “If people know that they are planning to fly between June 6 - 30th but are not sure of the exact dates, then they are encouraged to pick some dates, buy the introductory fares, and pay the $25 change fee later if it becomes necessary to change their June travel dates or the name of the person using the ticket. (The $25 change fee will only apply for tickets changed in person at the Passenger Services counter located in RFD’s Main Terminal. This “change” offer is not available online or through the reservation line.)” said O’Brien.
With Southern Skyways’ announcement of Detroit service and the continuation of Denver service, RFD will now offer nine (9) non-stop destinations. Southern Skyways will serve RFD using a115-seat, DC9-30 aircraft. Other air service providers operating out of RFD include Allegiant Air and Apple Vacations.
RFD’s 9 Non-Stop Destinations Include:
* Cancun
* Clearwater/St. Pete
* Denver (starting June 6, 2008)
* Detroit (starting June 6, 2008)
* Fort Lauderdale
* Las Vegas
* Myrtle Beach (starting May 23, 2008)
* Orlando
* Phoenix/Mesa
Board Chairman Mike Dunn said that the Airport was “saddened by the loss of United’s service. But we now better understand the niche market opportunities associated with developing RFD to its fullest potential as a viable alternative to Chicago O’Hare. The United experience will make us stronger,” he said.
To purchase tickets (beginning Noon Monday, March 24th), a link to the Southern Skyways web site has been set up on the airport’s web site at http://www.flyrfd.com/. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-877-2-FLY-South (1-877-235-9768), online at http://www.southernskyways.com/ or by contacting a local travel agent. In addition, after Noon on March 24th, tickets can also be purchased in person at the airport’s Passenger Services counter located in the Main Terminal adjacent to the airline ticket counter Monday through Friday from 8am - 5pm (Saturday and Sunday hours to be announced soon).
For additional information, contact Bob O’Brien at 815-969-4444.
*Southern Skyways flights are scheduled public charters that operate flights between cities in accordance with a published schedule. Fares are from $99 to $209 each way between Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) and Denver, CO and $79 to $149 to Detroit, MI depending upon availability at the time of booking for the date of travel. Seats are limited at the advertised price and capacity controlled for each fare class. Reservations can be made at Southernskyways.com or by calling 1-877-2-FLY-SOUTH (1-877-235-9768), at RFD’s Passenger Services Counter in the Main Terminal (limited hours) or from a link on the RFD web site FlyRFD.com. Fares are one-way, subject to availability and subject to change. Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charges of up to $4.50 each way, September 11th Security Fees of up to $5 each way and Federal Segment tax of $3.50 per segment. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. Southern Skyways is a d/b/a of Aviation Advantage Inc. and all flights are Public Charters. See Tour Participant Agreement for full terms and conditions of travel. Flights are authorized by the US Department of Transportation.