FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) – Florence Regional Airport plans to focus on reliability by cutting the number of flights each day. Florence Regional Airport officials say a National pilot shortage and mechanical issues with older planes meant more cancellations this year.
The Airport Director Connie Anderson said even entry level pilot’s overlook Regional airports because they are in high demand and larger airports offer higher salaries.
“They are going for the big money and that is unfortunately not in the Regional market,” explains Connie Anderson.
Airline officials started pilot training programs to increase the number of pilots.
Anderson said, “Hopefully that will resolved [but] that is going to take a little time though. This didn’t occur overnight and it won’t be fixed overnight.”
To reduce the number of cancelled flights, the airport will cut the number of outgoing flights this fall from five to four.
Anderson said, “Reliability right now is a factor, unfortunately that is just not the case right now– but we are working on it.”
Florence City Councilman Robby Hill said in addition to outgoing cutbacks, they hope to improve customer satisfaction by replacing the older planes with newer 50 passenger jets.
Hill explains, “We are working with American airlines and we are excited about their future at Florence Regional Airport and the reliability that the newer equipment will bring to our route.”
City Councilman Robby Hill leads a project to bring Delta back to the airport. Right now the only route is American airline, which goes to Charlotte, North Carolina. If Delta returns, another route to Atlanta could be added.
For more information contact:
Robby Hill by phone at (843)- 432- 4010
By email at: robby@hillsouth.com