Carrier Will Have Exclusivity For "A Period Of Time"

The nation's only privately-operated commercial airport has signed its first airline. Officials tasked with making the Branson Airport a reality have recruited AirTran Airways as the first airline scheduled to serve the Missouri resort destination.

USA Today reports the carrier will initially operate one flight per day to and from its Atlanta, GA hub, when the airport opens for commercial service May 11, 2009. A formal announcement is expected Thursday.

AirTran spokesman Tad Hutcheson said fares will average around $200 round trip, and that the low-cost airline will add flights to more destinations as the market demands.

Airport director Jeff Bourk admitted his group gave exclusive rights for AirTran to operate routes to Branson from Atlanta and other markets, at least for "a period of time," though talks are underway with other carriers, as well.

"We're not writing a check for $5 million or anything crazy like that. That's all I can say," Bourk said when asked what other concessions were made to lure AirTran.

Billed as the nation's only privately-developed commercial airport, construction began on Branson Airport in July 2007. A single 7,400-foot runway has already been completed, and work is underway on a 58,000-square-foot, four-gate terminal.

FMI: www.flybranson.com, www.airtran.com