VERO BEACH — The greater-than-expected response to Elite Airways’ decision last fall to experiment with twice-per-week commercial flights between Vero Beach and the New York metropolitan area has put the city’s regional airport on the radar of other airlines.
“They’re watching us, waiting to see how we’re doing and what Elite does,” Vero Beach Airport Director Eric Menger said. “Other airlines, from major carriers to the smaller ones, had already shown some interest in us, but it takes a year’s worth of data before you might see anyone perk up.
“No question, though: Elite’s success here has caught their attention.”
Actually, Menger has made sure other airlines are aware of the community’s rousing response to the Elite flights, which began in December, when commercial passenger service returned to Vero Beach Regional Airport for the first time in 20 years.
Menger said he usually initiates the conversations with the other airlines in an attempt to develop relationships that might someday lure a second carrier to Vero Beach.
“I talk to various airlines on an occasional basis, letting them know what’s going on, and I know they’re keeping an eye on us,” Menger said, declining to identify the carriers. “Whether we fit into their business plan, as we did with Elite, is always the No. 1 factor.
“This is still a pretty small market,” he added, “and there’s some uncertainty as to how much it can handle.”
There’s also a limit to how many flights the Vero Beach airport can handle, at least in terms of meeting Transportation Security Administration requirements, which increase with the number of passengers.
More flights would require the city to fund the additional security measures needed to meet federal standards, Menger said, adding, “That’s nothing we need to worry about now.”
Elite was so encouraged by the early response to its Thursday and Sunday non-stop service between here and Newark, N.J. – many flights were sold out – that it added Fridays and Mondays to its schedule in March, but only through April 1.
Menger said the additional flights also sold well and that the Elite jets that flew between Vero Beach and Newark Liberty International Airport operated at 97 percent of capacity throughout the month of March.
Earlier this month, Elite Vice President David Dow said the Thursday and Sunday flights between Vero Beach and Newark are “here to stay, at least for the forseeable future.” The airline already is booking flights through September and plans to extend service through the end of the year.
The airline also is considering upgrading to larger jets and planning to add service to other cities –something Elite might need to do, Menger said, to remain the lone carrier operating in Vero Beach, if demand continues to rise.
“Elite sees an opportunity in this market and is looking to expand its service here,” Menger said. “It’s in their interest to expand, though they could be somewhat limited by their equipment, crew and budget.”
