New EAS Airline for Columbia
Columbia is getting a new EAS airline. EAS in a federal program that subsidizes air service in small communities. In Missouri it includes Joplin, Columbia, Kirksville and Cape Girardeau. In Arkansas it includes Harrison and several other towns. Without EAS, these places would probably not have any commerical air service.
Several months ago Air Midwest said it was leaving many of these markets. Now, we're finding out who will replace them in Columbia. The Columbia Tribune reports that Mesaba Airlines will provide service between Columbia and Memphis—three flight a day.
Mesaba is a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines. It's interesting to note that Mesaba is pursuing EAS markets—even in the shadow of the pending merger between Northwest and Delta.
Allegiant Bargains
Word from Allegiant today of a fare sale to Orlando and Tampa Bay. Fly from Sprinfield to either location for $99 one-way. Here's the fine print:
"Only at Allegiant Air ticket counters. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. All fares are one-way. Must be purchased by May 10, 2008 for travel to be completed by Aug. 31, 2008. 7-day advance purchase required. Prices do not include PFC, segment tax or Sept. 11 security fee of up to $10.50 per segment. A convenience fee of $11.50 per traveling customer will apply when booked at www.allegiantair.com or through an Allegiant Air call center. Travel purchased through an Allegiant Air call center will cost an additional $10.00 per segment. A checked baggage fee will apply per bag, per segment. A segment is defined as one take-off and one landing. Fare rules, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply."
So come on out to the airport and buy those Florida tickets now!
Sorry, Marshal...
Hopefully, none of you have encountered the infamous "no-fly list." It's a huge list of names compiled by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Names on the list are supposed to belong to terrorists, suspected terrorists, and other suspicious types that shouldn't be allowed to fly. Sounds like a good deal, but here's the rub: if you're name is the same as one of the names on the list, you're probably not going to be allowed on your flight.
DHS keeps on saying it's going to fix the problem, but keeps failing to do so. A Washington Times story brings us the latest news in the saga:
US Airways-United Merger Talks Reportedly Intensify
Today's Wall Street Journal reports that merger talks between US Airways and United Airlines have intensified and that "a deal could emerge in as soon as 10 days, according to people familiar with the matter."
Read more about it from Forbes.

