Director Envisions Flights To Florida, West Coast

Pease Development Authority Executive Director Richard Green sure enjoyed watching new carrier Skybus makes its first flight in to Portsmouth (NH) International Airport (PSM) this week.

The Pease Development Authority oversees PSM and former Air Force base properties and is trying to turn them into an "international tradeport." Green said he's optimistic the new low fare carrier will help move that dream closer to reality by expanding its Portsmouth service.

PSM is not real likely to become a major player in the arena of major commercial airports with Logan International Airport, Manchester Boston Regional Airport and Portland International Jetport all within striking distance, Green said.

As far as regular service, PSM currently only provides Allegiant Air flights to Sanford, FL twice a week in cold months, and Pan Am Clipper Connection flights to Hanscom Field in Bedford, MA in addition to the new Skybus flights.

Green told The Boston Globe he predicts flights to Florida and even the West Coast with Skybus planning to add 70 additional jets to its fleet within five years.

"We will certainly be very aggressive in trying to become a focus city for Skybus," he said.

"We've got more plans for this airport as we grow. We've attracted $160 million in start-up capital, more than any airline in history, and we didn't sign up for 80 more planes just to operate long-term out of Columbus with eight destinations. We believe there's lots of opportunity for growth, and we think Portsmouth is an excellent gateway for New England," Skybus Chief Executive Officer Bill Dieffenderffer said.

The Federal Aviation Administration and a coalition of New England airports issued a 20-year aviation forecast for the region last year predicted travel at the region's largest airports could increase to 76 million passengers by 2020.

No such projections were made for PSM. Instead, the report said the little airport would be just "a niche airport" that served primarily charter flights and "unique services" -- like an Airbus A380.

The A380 is too big for regular service at Boston's Logan International.. but PSM's 11,300-foot runway, originally built to serve the US Air Force's B-52 bombers, can handle it quite nicely.

FMI: www.peasedev.org/pease/airport.asp