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St. George Restructuring Marketing Plan After News of Canceled L.A. Flights
By
Chance Walser
Story Created:
Jun 24, 2009 at 9:19 PM MST
Story Updated:
Jun 24, 2009 at 9:19 PM MST
The city of St. George is scrambling tonight to re-work their marketing strategy for the airport now that SkyWest has announced the cancellation of it's direct service to Los Angeles.
The city says they will look to the future, focusing on the replacement airport to bring them the marketability they desperately need.
The city's website has been promoting direct flights from St. George to Los Angeles.
That is just one of the strategies they will have to cancel.
City officials say the timing is terrible, but even without the direct to L.A. flights, St. George is still counting on a huge, 160 million dollar ace in their pocket to play when it comes to marketing.
"The timing is bad from a public perception perspective," said assistant to the city manager, Marc Mortensen.
"It does however, in no way affect the replacement airport nor the future plans we have for that airport."
The size of the new airport will accommodate regional jets, the land around the replacement site will allow for nearby industry growth, and the hype of having one of only two new airports in the country are all tools the city will use for the the next 18 months to try to boost business.
The city will also try to diversify carrier options so they are not so dependent on only one corporate partner.
As for customers who have already booked LA flights after September First, SkyWest will provide other travel options or refunds.
