Page 162 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2019

THEFINALSAY CLAY
WILLIAMS
photo courtesy of Dhiana Skrmetti
Executive Director,
Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport
We want to take this opportunity to encourage South Mississippians to fly from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. When you use your local airport, you are supporting the economy along the Mississippi Gulf
Coast. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport has an annual economic impact of $299 million on the South Mississippi market. The Airport and its many tenants, the airlines, rental car companies, federal agencies and National Guard employ 1,337 of your friends and neighbors and its operations impact a total of 1,969 jobs in our region.
For continued economic growth, we must have abundant and reliable air service offerings. Companies often
relocate to markets where they can conveniently fly their employees to other locales around the globe to conduct business. Additionally, one primary measure of community quality of life is the ability for residents to travel for work and vacation and to visit family and friends with ease. When you fly from your home airport, you are helping
to ensure the annual economic contribution of the airport continues to grow.
Speaking of flying from Gulfport, there are several new flight options that we would like to make you aware of. Sun Country Airlines is flying seasonally on Fridays and Mondays to Austin, Texas and Fort Myers, Florida. The seasonal service runs through December 16 of this year and provides non-stop access to these two exciting and rapidly growing destinations. In Austin, you can take advantage of the Texas state capital and the campus of the University of Texas, enjoy a vibrant music scene, delicious dining offerings, top notch shopping and other abundant cultural and outdoor activities
Travel to Fort Myers and relish in all that Southwest Florida has to offer. Pristine beaches ranked as some of the best in Florida along with a plethora of outdoor pursuits
await.
Fort Myers puts you just minutes from Sanibel and Captiva Island, Cape Coral and a very short drive to Naples. Fares have been advertised as low as $59 each way for flights to both Austin and Fort Myers and are based on availability. Please visit suncountry.com to book your trip.
In addition to these two new exciting cities being offered, please remember you can easily fly from Gulfport-Biloxi International and connect to destinations throughout
the U.S. and beyond. Delta Airlines has increased its flying from Gulfport to Atlanta daily, making it easier to connect for business or leisure travel. United Airlines offers multiple daily options to Houston and American Airlines is flying larger regional jets from Gulfport-Biloxi, offering convenient connections through both Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth. Allegiant Air affords travelers
an opportunity to avoid the many road miles to Central Florida, providing non-stop low-cost air service to the Orlando-Sanford Airport, allowing you to reach the famed attractions of Walt Disney World and Universal Studios with a simple direct flight. Sun Country Airlines will again be providing non-stop service to Minneapolis this fall so you can enjoy wonderful fall foliage in the Land of 10,000 Lakes beginning in late August and running through December.
If you are flying for business or leisure and prefer an experience of ease and convenience within a short distance of your home, we hope you will choose Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Thank you for flying with us!
162 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2019
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