Airline Drops Myrtle Beach Flight Plans: Akron-Canton Service Victim of High Fuel Costs

By Betty Lin-Fisher, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

May 21–High fuel prices are being blamed for the cancellation of Southern Skyways’ seasonal nonstop service between Akron-Canton Airport and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Southern Skyways was to offer two flights a week — on Thursdays and Sundays — beginning next month. But the three-year-old airline notified airport officials on Monday that it could not start the route because of high fuel prices.

“Bookings were actually good. They sold more than 1,800 tickets, ” said Akron-Canton Airport Marketing Director Kristie Van Auken. “But their booking curve could not keep up with the escalating values of gasoline.”

Officials with Southern Skyways were not available for comment.

Customers who purchased tickets have been notified by e-mail and will receive full refunds, Van Auken said.

“It doesn’t erase the inconvenience for folks. They will get their money back,” she said. Travelers can still get to Myrtle Beach through connections on AirTran or US Airways, though Van Auken said it might not be as cheap as the Southern Skyways flights, which ranged from $79 to $129 each way.

The scheduled charter flights — which were booked through the airline’s Web site only — were to start on Thursday. But a few weeks ago, those customers were notified that the first service would be June 8 and they were rebooked, Van Auken said.

Van Auken said airport officials are disappointed in the cancellation.

“It’s a little bit of a bummer. Fuel is going to touch everything moving forward,” she said.

Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@ thebeaconjournal.com.

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