Charter Flights Now Available

Traveling out of town to catch flights no longer a requirement

By: Desiree Reynolds
Sentinel Writer

Among the attendees at the Airport's 're-grand opening' were, left to right, Christa Flenner, Tonya Hampton and Shelly Reams, all NCFlyports representatives; David Rodger, County Mgr.; Johnny Brown, Mayor of Andrews; Haydon Rogers, Cong. Heath Shuler's Chief of Staff; Mike Sheidy, Chamber President; Donna Tipton-Rogers, President of Tri-County Community College.; Larry Kernea, Airport Commissioner; Juleigh Sitton, Director of Governor's Western Office and Chad Warner, Flight Group Corporation Sales & Marketing.

On the evening of Thursday, October 22nd, a crowd gathered to usher the Andrews-Murphy Airport into a new era. It was not only christened with a new name: Western Carolina Regional Airport but also new services, so that it can better serve the local economy in its travel needs.
The NCDOT Division of Aviation, working under a Small Community Air Service Development grant from the USDOT, is marketing the availability of on-demand air service in eleven communities in North Carolina. Cherokee County is one of those eleven. As a result, the newly-named Western Carolina Regional Airport will be offering charter flights right out of the Andrews-Murphy area. Which can prove to be a pretty big convenience, for those both coming and going in our area.
Among the attendees at Wednesday’s event, were representatives from the Flight Group Corporation in association with NC Flyports and FlightGest. “Our goal is to bring more efficient air travel to rural areas, and educate people on just how accessible and affordable it can be for them.” said Shelly Reams of NC Flyports. “This is really going to be something that can bring more visitors and help drive the local economy, because there will be more ground time for people who come to the Andrews-Murphy area. Instead of flying into Atlanta, then driving two hours there and back, they can maximize the time spent at their actual destination.” Conversely, the program has the potential to save time and money for locals who intend to travel out of Cherokee County.
Flight Group Corporation, which is operated by FlightGest Aviation, boasts planes of varying sizes from 5 and up to 9 seats for use in Charter flights out of the Andrews-Murphy area, some with availability starting immediately, while others will become available in January 2010. “When you add up the time wasted driving, waiting in line at the airport, money spent on hotels and other various costs associated with business travel, hiring a charter flight makes a lot of sense financially.” says Chad Warner of FlightGest. “The time gained just by hiring a charter flight can be spent on better things, such as dinners with clients or just more leisure time at your destination.”
For more information about charter flights out of the Andrews-Murphy area, visit www.ncflyports.com. The Web site offers a firsthand look at comparing the costs of charter flights and other forms of travel, as well as the ability to book a flight online.