PITTSBURGH, Nov. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Allegheny County Airport Authority officials today announced that talks are underway with Gulfstream International Airlines (NYSE Amex:GIA) and the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee to make the "Pittsburgh Connector" project a reality. The original concept, championed by the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee in 2006, would restore nonstop air service from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to several regional communities.
"We are thrilled that Gulfstream International Airlines is interested in restoring important regional flights to our world-class airport," said Onorato. "The Pittsburgh Connector would accomplish two major goals. It would re-establish nonstop air service between Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania cities, including Harrisburg, and it would help to promote additional regional economic development through increased air traffic and business travel."
"Gulfstream International is very interested in restoring air service to several communities no longer directly linked to Pittsburgh," said Gulfstream's Vice President of Corporate Development Mickey Bowman. "Since 2003, important destinations within a 400-mile radius of Pittsburgh no longer have nonstop air service, among them the state capitol in Harrisburg. Gulfstream is committed to providing reliable, quality, regional air service at reasonable prices. We hope this new service can begin as early as the first quarter of 2010 and grow to encompass four to eight communities within the year."
"The Pittsburgh Connector is an innovative concept designed to create high-quality air links with easy connections on airlines at PIT, creating a reliable network of sustainable, consistent air services through the Commonwealth," said Airport Authority Board Chairman Glenn R. Mahone. "It's also designed to stimulate new traffic."
"Airports do more than provide transportation; they can attract new business and create jobs," said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary for Aviation & Rail Freight Eric Madden. "This initiative will help better connect Pittsburgh to regional communities, as well as encourage economic growth. We are pleased to see Gulfstream partnering with the Authority in this endeavor."
Gulfstream currently operates 23 aircraft with more than 150 daily system departures throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and Cleveland, Ohio.
Gulfstream has codeshare relationships with Continental Airlines, United Airlines and Copa Airlines of Panama. The company, with its headquarters in Ft. Lauderdale, has approximately 600 employees, the bulk of which are Florida-based. Gulfstream is a member of the Regional Airline Association. Additional information on Gulfstream International Airlines is available at www.gulfstreamair.com.