Aim For Same Functionality As Airline Travel Sites, For Air
Taxi Service
Boca Raton, FL-based Coastal Technologies Group, inc. and
FlyPorts International, Inc., of Raleigh, NC told ANN this weekend
of the release of a first of its kind real-time reservation system
for charter flights. Door2DoorAir.com and FlyPorts.com will go live
on Tuesday, July 15.
"Next generation technology is enabling safe and highly fuel
efficient aircraft to provide this specialized air service, making
it more available and affordable than ever before," said Richard
Kane, CEO of CTGi, which will provide the software used on the
sites. "By utilizing our optimization modeling software, air
service companies are able to network their operations in a
practical and efficient way which was not available or economically
feasible in the past."
The flight reservation portal allows connectivity and access to
multiple flight providers enabling travelers the ability to
customize flight schedules, times, airport locations, cost, and
even the type of aircraft they fly on.
"Door2DoorAir provides direct, live booking capabilities which
have never before been available to the traveling public," said Sal
Terranova, VP Sales/Marketing, CTGi. "Our service allows you to
book directly on-line with associated air taxi companies just like
Travelocity and Expedia provide multiple airline, rental car and
hotel choices. As an added feature, our booking engine will also
incorporate ground-based transportation and lodging functionality
in the very near future."
Door2DoorAir will begin its launch in association with the
marketing efforts of FlyPorts, International. The promotional
programs at FlyPorts.com introduce local airports to potential air
service travelers.
"We are getting the word out that community airports offer many
services, amenities, and economic development enhancements to the
areas they serve," said FlyPorts President Shelly Reams.
"FlyPorts.com and Door2DoorAir.com introduce to the public that
professional and safe air transportation is available right from
their backdoor, close-in and direct. The hassles and stress of
airline travel through the maze of the nation’s hub terminals
are avoided. You can show up at the general aviation terminal just
minutes before your flight and take your whole tube of toothpaste
on board without getting frisked."
FlyPorts
programs aim to show air service is available from outside the
traditional airline network, which especially for the business
traveler saves time and money by flying to and from the airports
closest to their meetings. FlyPorts will launch with a project,
funded by the US Department of Transportation, for the State of
North Carolina's Aviation Division. NCFlyPorts will highlight 11
regional airports in North Carolina by marketing local airport
services and air passenger capabilities throughout the state.
"The surprising affordability of these flight options really add
up quickly when considering the vast amounts of time and per diem
spent on the road by business travelers," said Kane. CTGi will be
able to illustrate this in detail with a time and savings
calculator, which will be available on the websites.
"The State of North Carolina and the US DOT recognize the need
to enhance air service to smaller communities," said Dave Thomas,
Air Service Marketing Manager for the NCDOT Aviation Division.
"Uncertainty and cut-backs in the commercial airline industry are
clearly having an adverse impact on the availability of regional
airline service. We feel the NCFlyPorts Program will enhance
aviation and economic development in addition to our efforts to
maintain excellent connectivity in our commercial airline
terminals."