NEW: Jet Blue Could be Flying Into Worcester
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
In response to a Tweet from local blogger Bill Randell, who has been closely monitoring the situation at the airport, Barger wrote, in part: “…As for ORH, had a very nice visit w/ MassPort 10 days ago. More soon!”
Tamara Young, manager corporate communications for JetBlue did not address Barger’s Tweet specifically, saying in a statement to GoLocalWorcester: “We’re evaluating any number of potential new cities at a given time, but have nothing to announce in this regard at this time.”
MassPort Spokesman Richard Walsh said Barger visited the airport earlier this month. As part of its promotional efforts, Walsh said, the airport routinely invites airline representatives to visit the facility.
“Jet Blue did visit us,” he said. “We’ve had other airlines visit us in the past and we will have more in the future. We meet with airlines on a regular basis.”
He would not reveal the identity of airlines that have toured or seen the airport, saying, “It’s not in anyone’s interest to have those discussions publicly. The only reason we’re addressing this is it was raised in a public forum on Twitter.”
Whether Jet Blue ends up setting up shop at the airport, Walsh expressed MassPort’s commitment to making use of Worcester Regional Airport. Direct Air, he said, proved that customers continue to enjoy the airport. There were 107,000 passengers for Direct Air in 2011 at the airport, he said.
As GoLocalWorcester reported last month, Direct Air, which was the only commercial operation at the airport, departed last month. Thousands of customers were left in the lurch. MassPort bought the airport in 2010.
“We are very committed (to the airport),” Walsh said. “We have been. We’ll point back to Direct Air and the commitment those passengers showed.”
MassPort holds its regularly scheduled meeting at the airport at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
Related Articles
- How Massport Dodges a Bullet with Direct Air Replacement
- MassPort “Wastes” $10k on Direct Air PR Campaign
- Matt Amorello: Forget Direct Air… How About a Direct Road?
- Breaking: Direct Air Cancels Flights til May
- Direct Air is a Nightmare for Travelers
- Direct Air’s Parent Co. Files for Bankruptcy - Refund Information
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It