Myrtle Beach Seeking Peoria Nonstops!



Myrtle Beach wants Central Illinois residents to visit its resorts, and arrive by air.

Peoria (or Bloomington-Normal) is among 19 destinations sought by officials of the South Carolina tourist destination, according to The Sun News. Myrtle Beach International Airport plans to offer financial incentives to carriers which begin nonstop flights.

Myrtle Beach is served by Allegiant Air, American Airlines, American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, Porter Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, United Express and WestJet Encore. Much of the service is seasonal. 

Allegiant Air is the obvious choice to offer this service out of Central Illinois, probably twice-weekly.

I hope it happens. 

- David P. Jordan

Comments

  1. mikefiedler1@gmail.comOctober 18, 2017 at 5:59 AM

    David, it will be interesting how they will decide whether PIA or BMI gets it. How do you think they decide and what are the factors? Earlier this year we flew from PIA to CLT and then drove to Myrtle Beach. Wonder if others have done this? But this would never get captured in any sort of data collection for Myrtle since really we drove into the area vs. flying there direct.

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    Replies
    1. David P. JordanOctober 18, 2017 at 6:32 PM

      When a friend and I toured the international terminal at PIA in May 2016, Gene Olson told me he didn't think there was a significant market between Central Illinois and Myrtle Beach (there is one a bit further east - Evansville, Indiana for example). But I suppose nonstop, seasonal flights could create one, and Myrtle Beach was one of three (Destin/Fort Walton Beach and Los Angeles were the others) cities polled by the airport authority about two years ago.

      As for BMI vs. PIA, it could be a toss up, but Allegiant Air (the likely carrier to provide service) has shown more love to PIA than BMI in terms of destinations. At this point though, I'd be surprised if such service would be offered in the near future. Depends on the incentives Myrtle Beach offers, I guess.

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