Published: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009
Biz Buzz: Airline cuts may not be felt here
US Airways cutbacks are not likely to affect operations of regional carrier at SLO airport
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closeUS Airways staffing and flight reductions will not directly affect operations at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, officials there said.
The carrier plans to cut 1,000 jobs next year — including ramp service workers, pilots and flight attendants — and drop flights to such destinations as Colorado Springs, Colo., and Wichita, Kan. It is also trimming its Las Vegas flights.
But the cuts will not affect San Luis Obispo County customers because the company’s move only pertains to US Airways’ main service lines, which flies larger jets. Mesa Air Group, which operates the smaller regional jets and turbo prop aircraft, is the regional carrier for US Airways at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport.
“I spoke with our (Mesa) station manager last week, and he didn’t mention anything about cutbacks or reductions in service,’’ said Richard Howell, airport general manager.
Mesa Airlines already has a lean staff of about 15 to 20 people in San Luis Obispo, and many work part-time, airport spokesman Craig Piper said. The carrier operates three flights six days a week and two flights on a seventh day.
Mesa is accommodating more passengers than it has in the past, Piper said. Last month, the airline had 5,168 people board its planes, up from 2,703 in the same month last year. The carrier began offering more flights and increased the size of its aircraft to 86 passengers from 50.
Overall, passenger counts at San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport are down 10 percent from September last year. Airport officials have been working to encourage another airline to offer service and have applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a $500,000 grant that could be used as an incentive for an airline to move to the area.
— Julie Lynem
Women’s group gets online show
Central Coast Women’s Network, Directory of Women in Business, has launched “Business Connection,” a weekly, 60-minute online radio show that airs Mondays at 7 p.m. Hosted by Jacky Lopez, founder of the Central Coast Women’s Network, the show is a blend of interviews and commentaries on topics ranging from social media and career transitions to marketing, entrepreneurship and finances. Each segment can be streamed live through a computer or telephone or downloaded to iTunes. Visit http:// blogtalkradio.com/businessconnection to listen and get more information.
— Julia Hickey
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