February 18th, 2009
Just talked to Bob Nay, sales and marketing director for Kenny Tours, He said they’re holding off on plans to start scheduled charter service from airports like RFD to Shannon, Ireland, until the economy turns around … probably not before 2011. It makes sense - few people are flying so international airfares are dropping as carriers (and their hotel and travel agency partners) try to fill seats. Hard time to undercut them with new, lower-cost service, and particularly hard time for a totally new air-service provider to start up.
But Mr. Nay said Kenny will be back looking at flights when things pick up, and will continue to eye RFD.
“There’s no question. The market is there, the money is not,” he said.
February 18th, 2009
Interesting email blast from Chicago Rockford International Airport’s MilesAhead customer rewards program:
Guess RFD’s NEXT 2 New Destinations and Win!!
Win your choice of four (4) Round-Trip Tickets* to one of RFD’s two new destinations, OR two (2) Round-Trip Tickets* to Cancun. Just guess what RFD’s next two new destinations are going to be in order and you could win. Entries will be accepted up to the evening before the announcement of the next two new destinations. Winners will be revealed at the press conference. Increase your odds by telling your friends to enter and splitting the winnings.
 So, what does Bob O’Brien got up his sleeve. Well here’s what he told me:
- “I’m certainly prepared to elaborate more early next week.”
- “We’re not using a countdown clock but … I hope the contest wouldn’t last too long.” - indicating things aren’t finalized but something is in the works.
- There are several reasons for the email blast - to get people excited about potential airport destinations, to get people’s ideas for what should be future destinations, to retain “top of mind” awareness for the 42,000+ MilesAhead members and to promote other regional events in the blast.
I have some totally uneducated guessed floating around in my head, one of which I would bet good money on. Another is totally wishful thinking on my part. You can bet I’ll shake some trees to see what’s going on…
What do you folks think it will be?
