With the end of nonstop flights between Chattanooga and Memphis, companies with operations in both cities are managing the change while Lovell Field officials try to woo new service west to Houston.
Driving between Chattanooga and Memphis and flying into connecting airline hubs such as Atlanta are among the alternatives company workers are using, officials said.
“It takes twice as long to get there,” said Anne Holt, a spokeswoman in Chattanooga for First Tennessee Bank, whose parent company is headquartered in Memphis.
Chattanooga nonstop service to Delta Air Lines’ Memphis hub, which ended late last year, was replaced by the airline with flights into Detroit.
Mike Landguth, Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport president, said Monday he understands there are some key businesses in the city whose employees used the Memphis nonstops.
Still, he said, Delta now has two nonstops to its Detroit hub. Landguth said Detroit has more connectivity to other cities than the Memphis hub.
But, Mary Thompson-Danielson of BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee said the Chattanooga-based insurer with key operations in Memphis is affected by the loss of the nonstop.
More ground transportation, carpooling and alternate flight arrangements out of other hubs are needed, she said.
Memphis and Detroit became Delta hubs when the carrier merged with Northwest Airlines.
United service
Meanwhile, airport officials said they plan to pursue service on United Airlines, possibly with nonstops between the city and Houston.
Landguth told the Airport Authority that the airline’s Houston hub provides quality service to Mexico, which would work with Chattanooga’s growing auto sector. Volkswagen has major operations in Puebla, Mexico.
Chattanooga formerly had nonstop flights to Houston by Continental, which merged with United. Landguth said plans are to visit with United officials later this year to seek service from the airline.
Airport officials lauded new Vision Airline flights to Destin-Fort Walton Beach announced last week and slated to start April 1.
FAST FACTChattanooga-based BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has a regional office in Memphis.
Chattanooga’s airport will perform baggage handling for the discount carrier, much as it does for low-fare airline Allegiant Air, officials said.
Dan Jacobson, the Airport Authority’s chairman, said Monday the new service is to a popular destination and will help keep down air fares.
“It’s one more option,” he said.
Jim Hall, the panel’s vice chairman, said it’s key that passengers using the Allegiant and Vision flights get in and out of the airport quickly.
“I’ve heard a lot of buzz,” he said about the service.