Business leaders fight for lower airfare prices
TRAVERSE CITY -- Traverse City business leaders are working with a major airline to bring lower fares and more seats to Cherry Capital Airport in hopes of boosting the local economy.
Three Delta Air Line officials met privately today with key business stakeholders, representatives from the Traverse City Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Cherry Capital Airport officials. Currently, about 65% of all flights out of Cherry Capital are Delta flights.
Doug Luciani says, "It is how we connect to the world. Delta connects us to Detroit and from there to 155 nonstop destinations in 67 different countries. It is very important to us to maintain that service."
Donald Ponniah, president of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa says the airline’s high ticket prices are keeping customers from coming to Traverse City. Since taking over the resort in July he has hired a consultant with air line ties to help generate change so he doesn’t continue to lose business.
Ponniah says, “I have lost 7-12 group businesses because the airline prices and the capacity and frequency of flights.”
Ponniah was one of the business leaders who attended the private meeting with Delta.
Changes aren’t expected for months, but Delta promised to look at fares and crunch numbers. The air line is also expected to increase the number of flights this summer from five to eight or nine a day.
Luciani says, "We felt like they really heard us today in terms of issues impacting Traverse City travelers and businesses in this market."
Ponniah says, “The ideal solution will be to have a fair pricing point where people can afford it, so I can fill my hotel rooms, and other businesses can survive."
