Skybus at FRG?

I am just taking the time to think about how Skybus could possibly provide service to the New York Area.
SWF-Too much LCC competition.
HPN-Same problem plus very vulnerable to delays.
ISP-WN would kill them.
EWR-Not smart because of CO.
JFK-AA, DL, and B6 expanding would drive them out.
LGA-What are they, nuts?
FRG-Hmm, no airlines yet, small, easy airport with only GA traffic. Runway 14-32 is sufficient length for A319. This one could work.
Anyone see a reason (besides the fact that they don't like them) why Skybus can't use FRG to serve New York City?

A few Key Notes to Think about:
They recently launched service to St. Augustine, never ever served by a Commercial Airline, no real facilities, but they decided to fly there anyway and are doing well. Not to mention they are receiving service to Portsmouth as well as Columbus.
Punta Gorda says hello to them in December with Columbus and Portsmouth service. This is also mainly a GA airport and has been since the 1980s.
FRG is not congested and there is no one to drive them out.
They have to serve New York City somehow...what Successful US Airline does not serve New York City in some way, shape, or form?
Even WN serves NYC through ISP in a way! ISP has rail connections to the city.
Just a few thoughts for everyone to think about.

Nassau NIMBYs would have a heart attack.

I was under the impression SWF was just a matter of time for them. Nothing announced but I beleve they will be their both from CMH and their nich Florida cities. And I think some of the private pilots on this site who regularly fly out of FRG may disagree with your view of FRG being not conjested.
Just my 2 cents.

LGA777

True, but that shouldn't be cause for heavy delays...would it?

I agree, SWF is more likely. FRG would have to build a security screening area, as well as hire TSA agents to staff the airport. SWF is already set up for that.

I do not think a terminal is an issue. Someplace in Florida they use a tent for a terminal.

Wouldn't surprise me. Skybus works out of some odd cities. FRG does have a terminal; the runway could easily handle the A319 to Columbus. Matt FRG isn't in Nassau county btw, it’s in Suffolk and the general approach path is over commercial and industrial areas vs. residential. FGR did have commercial service at one time from Northwest Airlink to Boston, didn't last long but it was there. They do offer schedule service to ACY, forgot the airline, they use Gulfstreams. With Skybus you never know...they might setup service at the Bayport Aerodrome for all I know.

Something tells me that if Skybus set up at SWF or FRG, they would have service to St. Augustine and Punta Gorda as well, since Florida is in such high demand from NYC.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by T-Bird76

They do offer schedule service to ACY, forgot the airline, they use Gulfstreams.

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Tommy, the ACY service is all charter. It is operated by Empire Airways in the Jetstreams. There are also 2 Embraer Brasilias that fly the route now, not sure who operates them, but they are all hired by the casino's. Unless you are a casino guest, and work it out with their concierge desk, you cannot get on those birds. Single seats are not for sale.

I've read that Skybus is interested in the "Hudson Valley" which means either SWF or HPN.

> Matt FRG isn't in Nassau county btw, it’s in Suffolk and the general approach path is over commercial and industrial areas vs. residential. <

Good luck. There is already plenty of opposition to the expanding the distance between Taxiway B and Runway 1/19 to accomodate larger jets. And this is from the Plainview-Old Bethpage community in Nassau County. And I know the Town of Babylon has plenty of opposition to any airport expansion as does areas of East Farmingdale. Even though the "general approach path" is over commercial/industrial areas it is hard not to impact residential areas especially if they use the
ILS 14.

Yes 1-19 was a big issue, but even if they did extend the runway which was and is a great idea and could easily add well over 1500 feet, they would have to knock down a hangar owned by Sheltair, also this hangar as far as I know has some historical value.
If I were in charge I would:
+ Level all three hanagrs from Sheltair to AAM to Glass cockpit and install larger sliding door hangars like Avitats at HPN this would solve the problem of allowing larger jets to taxi by the D&K / Sheltair hangar as well as the AAM hangar.
+ Lengthen 1-19 to all the way back to the road that runs on the north side of the airport, put up a blast wall,and add a category III ILS system to 19
+Rebuild the terminal with two floors , one for Arr and one for Dep and add 1 small jetbridge.
FRG already has a traffic radar, and the profits turned by the airport would actually lower the surrounding areas taxes.What most residents don't understand is that if FRG were to close down tommorow taxes would skyrocket,a lot of people would have to move.

Quote:

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+ Level all three hanagrs from Sheltair to AAM to Glass cockpit and install larger sliding door hangars like Avitats at HPN this would solve the problem of allowing larger jets to taxi by the D&K / Sheltair hangar as well as the AAM hangar.

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My understanding is the AAM will be moving, not sure if the hangar will be leveled but the AAM has to move due to new FAA regulations about allowing the public on the ramp so close to an active runway. So who knows what they have planned. FRG would certainly be ideal for SkyBus.

It's pretty ridiculous that they don't let you book connecting flights via Columbus, and they even recommend that you don't. The only non-Columbus flights they offer are Boston (Portsmouth, NH)-Ft Myers (Punta Gorda) and Boston-Jacksonville (St. Augustine). I think FRG-Florida routes would do very well, especially if they could pull off FRG-FLL.

Sample fare: Boston-Jacksonville, 12/28-1/1 = $91 round trip including tax. :shock:

FRG-St. Augustine Flights would do well too in my opinion, as they would lure Daytona Beach residents all the way up to Jacksonville for their low fares. They could be paying $91 for FRG-SGJ as well.

FRG's purpose is not to provide scheduled airline service.

http://www.republicairport.net/index2.htm
<<Since 1969, Republic Airport has accommodated the area’s need for an airport devoted to flight training, private and corporate aircraft, as well as charter and regional commuter operations.>>

Not saying this couldn't change of course; perhaps Skybus could be granted an exemption, but the situation is not so simple (I don't think) as simply no airline would consider the location, terminal, runway etc.....

Tom