Tag Archives: New Orleans

Silver Airways indefinitely suspends plans for southeast expansion, including Birmingham

Silver Airways saab340bSilver Airways formally announced plans on June 10 to indefinitely suspend beginning non-stop service from Birmingham, AL to Jacksonville, FL and New Orleans, LA less than a week before the flights were scheduled to begin, according to several media outlets. As recently as May 16, the Fort Lauderdale, FL-based company was promoting an airfare sale for the new routes, first announced in April. The company released a statement, referenced by WVTM 13 in their report, stating in part, “[d]espite robust marketing efforts, this market is not able to support flying this route at this time.” Refunds are being offered and the airline’s website still shows the proposed expansion on its route map.

It would have marked the first offers of direct-flight service to the two destinations from Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport since Southwest Airlines discontinued serving them in 2013. A similar lack of support within the market was cited by the airline and in a subsequent AL.com report when the plans were announced in late 2012.

Silver also announced plans to not offer direct service between Orlando, FL and Savannah, GA on June 11 (service was set to begin June 23). (though Savannah was already celebrating the return of seasonal direct-flight service via Allegiant Air to several cities in Ohio). It was not the first time the company intended to expand its footprint only to delay and eventually suspend the plans. January saw Silver announce its intention to offer service from St. Pete Clearwater International Airport to Fort Lauderdale and Key West beginning in March. The change in plans (first delaying them, eventually backing out completely) came shortly after the company announced several new appointments: chief financial officer, chief operating officer, and vice president of airports and customer service.

According to an interview the Sun Sentinel conducted with company CEO Sami Teittinen in February, it’s been refocusing its efforts on Florida and the Bahamas in recent months. There is still a presence in the metro Washington, DC area, but it has seen its own share of issues and concerns recently (though efforts to remedy others appear to be working).

Jingle, Jangle, Jingle…

Photo: Mr. Bingle – gairid1791/Flickr

We seemed to make a big splash last year for the holidays with our digital message to readers. I thought it might be a good idea to revisit the main reason for the enjoyment – an appearance by Mr. Bingle.

It’s OK if you don’t know who he is; here’s a little background on him as well as his story. He recently made his annual appearance in New Orleans’ Christmas parade and is still owned by Dillards. Considering the cold weather, it may just be the type of thing to finish putting you in the right mindset for the season. Maybe you”l want to  join his fan site as well.

Hicks takes to the hardcourt this weekend

Taylor Hicks - MySpace photoMembers of Taylor Hicks’ Soul Patrol need only look to cable television network ESPN this weekend tonight to catch a glimpse of the season 5 American Idol winner. He’s playing to a sold out audience, only it’s a crowd of basketball fans hoping for a great show. Hicks will be suiting up for the New Orleans team in this year’s NBA McDonald’s All-Star Celebrity Game. Tip off is 6 p.m. local time.

Before you think about hopping a flight or the train to get down there and catch a glimpse, tickets are already sold out. Plus, Hicks was apparently a point guard in high school, so it’s not impossible to think of him dishing it to Master P or WNBA star Ruth Riley.