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“Fly Walla Walla First” promotion encourages local
travelers to utilize Q400 service for convenient,
comfortable travel between Walla Walla and Seattle |
WWV Chamber of Commerce Air Travel Coalition members
welcome arrival of Horizon Air’s Q400. Pictured left to right – Doug
Bayne (Banner Bank), Michael Davidson (Tourism Walla Walla), Dave
Warkentin (Walla Wallla Valley Chamber of Commerce), Kip Kelly (Coffey
Communications), Dan Russo (Horizon Air), Elizabeth Martin-Calder
(WW Valley Wine Alliance), Tim Larkin (Tumac Outdoor Equipment), Paul
Schneidmiller (Port of Walla Walla & World Wide Travel) and not pictured,
John Boutsikaris (Key Technology) |
Which comes first...the plane or the
passengers?
Port of Walla Walla officials and
business partners in the Valley are
hoping they’ll come together to build a
base for improved air service between
the Walla Walla Regional Airport and
Seattle.
A renewed emphasis on the value
of Horizon Air’s local service started
on October 27, 2008 with the Monday
morning arrival of the airline’s new
Q400 passenger plane.
More than 100 people representing
local businesses and community
support groups were on hand to greet
the sleek new aircraft that is now the “standard” for Horizon’s service in
Walla Walla.
The Q400 turboprop replaced the
Q200 with a plane that offers more
seating capacity, 76 versus 37; faster
speeds, 414 mph versus 334; and while
consuming 30 percent less fuel than
similar-sized jet craft. |
It’s the increased passenger capacity
that has captured the focus of the Walla
Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce’s
Air Travel Coalition, which includes
participation from and support by the
Port of Walla Walla.
While use of the larger plane will
have no affect on Walla Walla’s current
three-a-day flight schedule, the added
passenger capacity does create a need
to “fill more seats.”
Chamber CEO Dave Warkentin
reminded the welcoming audience
that the airline needs at least 125 daily
boardings to maintain its present
schedule. That’s an increase of about
50 percent, he said.
Kip Kelly, chair for the Air Travel
Coalition and senior vice president
of business development for Coffey
Communications, said the group
initiated a Fly Walla Walla First
promotion and is working with Horizon
to encourage and ensure its future here.
(more airport on page 2) |
