Toledo Express getting new flights to Florida
9/5/2008A South Carolina-based charter airline will begin twice-weekly service between Toledo Express Airport and southwest Florida in November, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority announced Friday.
Direct Air, which currently flies between six northern cities and Myrtle Beach, S.C., will establish a second cluster of routes serving Charlotte County Airport in Punta Gorda, Fla., that will include flights to and from Toledo, port authority spokesman Carla Firestone said.
Punta Gorda is about halfway between Fort Myers and Sarasota, Fla., and currently has no commercial air service, Ms. Firestone said.
Like Allegiant Air, which flies between Toledo and two Florida cities several times per week with more flights during peak Florida travel times Direct Air brands and markets its service but the flights are operated by a different company.
Service will start Nov. 24. At 2 p.m. on Friday, the company started a promotion of a one-way ticket for $79. Travelers can go through travel agents or the company's Web site to book that offer, which will expire at 9 p.m. on Monday, officials said.
Direct Air currently flies between Myrtle Beach and Columbus; Pittsburgh; Newark, N.J.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Scranton-Wilkes Barre, Pa., and Niagara Falls, N.Y.