Vision Airlines Initial Sales Exceed $1 Million

SUWANEE, Ga., Jan. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vision Airlines, the nation's newest big jet, low-cost carrier, will end its $49* introductory one-way Florida fare sale on Monday, January 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

"However, Vision Airlines still offers the lowest one-way fares in the industry on its direct flights from 17 southern U.S. departure cities to six Florida destinations," says company spokesman Bryan Glazer. "On average, Vision Airlines' fares to Florida cost $89. Fares across the airline's route system range from $69 - $199."

The first flights start taking-off on March 25, 2011.

"Vision Airlines has now sold more than $1 million in tickets, since we opened our online store and call center 13 days ago," says Chief Operating Officer David Meers.

"On January 18, minutes after Vision Airlines unveiled its 23 city mega-expansion plan and announced its one week $49 seat sale, the company's reservations center was flooded with phone calls and its website was overwhelmed by more than 50,000 hits; causing its servers to crash," says Glazer. "Within 48 hours, Vision Airlines sold-out of the limited $49 fares."

Vision Airlines' Sales and Marketing Director Clay Meek explains, "To deal with the technical problems, Vision Airlines increased its server capacity, brought more customer service agents on board and then added more $49 seats on every flight. To top-it-off, we extended our $49 introductory fare sale, which was slated to end on January 23, but will now end this Monday night."

Meers emphasizes, "At this juncture, Vision Airlines believes it is more important to satisfy first-time customers rather than turn them away because they missed-out on a fare sale. Our first goal is to get passengers on Vision Airlines' jets so they can experience our fast, friendly and efficient service. After their first flight on Vision Airlines, we are confident that we will earn passenger's repeat business."

Vision Airlines Cities

• Asheville, NC - Atlanta, GA - Baton Rouge, LA - Birmingham, AL - Chattanooga, TN
• Columbia, SC - Destin/Ft. Walton Beach, FL - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Greenville/Spartanburg, SC - Gulfport/Biloxi, MS - Houston, TX - Huntsville, AL
• Knoxville, TN - Little Rock, AR - Louisville, KY - Macon, GA - Miami, FL
• Niagara Falls/Buffalo, NY/Toronto, Canada - Punta Gorda/Ft. Myers, FL
• Sanford/Orlando, FL - Savannah, GA - Shreveport, LA
• St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa, FL

Vision Airlines Emerald Coast Hub

The majority of flights from Vision Airlines' focus cities in the southern U.S. are to, from and through its hub at Northwest Florida Regional Airport, near Destin/Fort Walton Beach, FL -- along the state's Emerald Coast.

Central Florida Flights

Vision Airlines also provides service from several of its southern departure cities to Sanford/Orlando International Airport, FL. It is within close proximity to Central Florida's theme parks, the Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral.

Southwestern Florida Gulf Coast

The company is introducing a limited number of flights to the new Punta Gorda, FL airport, which is located 23 miles north of Fort Myers; 38 miles south of Venice; and 55 miles south of Sarasota. The airport is one mile from the nearest entrance ramp to Interstate 75. It is an 18 minute drive to area beaches.

Canadians Fly Vision Airlines to Florida

Vision Airlines also flies from the new Niagara Falls International Airport, NY to NW Florida Regional Airport with continuing service to Miami International Airport. These flights are aimed at luring Canadians to drive across the border into the U.S. opposed to flying from Toronto's Pearson International Airport. In doing so, Canadian passengers save $140 on international tariffs. They also avoid long delays at airport immigration and customs check points. Parking at Niagara Falls International Airport costs $4 per day.

Mississippi's Casino Coast

Vision Airlines has regularly-scheduled service to Gulfport/Biloxi, MS from St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX  and other cities. The company also offers all-inclusive, discount vacation packages for the MGM's Beau Rivage Resort and Casino.

Atlanta, Louisville, Gulfport, St Petersburg

Vision Airlines provides twice-daily non-stop flights between Atlanta, GA and Louisville, KY.

Cuba Charter Flights

Vision Airlines operates daily charter flights from New York and Miami to Havana, Cuba. Passengers must meet certain criteria for travel to Cuba. Seats may only be purchased through a specially-authorized charter agency.

Vision Airlines History

In 1994, the company started as Vision Air, flying tourist turbo-prop flights from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.

Over time, the company expanded its fleet to include Boeing 737 and 767 jetliners. Simultaneously, Vision Airlines broadened its charter service clientele to include presidential candidates, celebrities, some of the world's best-known resorts and government agencies.

After 16 years of building its reputation as one of the world's most-successful charter carriers, Vision Airlines started regularly-scheduled commercial passenger service in late December 2010 between Atlanta, GA and Louisville, KY and between Niagara Falls, NY and Northwestern Florida with through flights to Miami. On January 18, 2011 the company announced its 23 city mega-expansion.

The company now owns and operates 16 aircraft worldwide.

Business Model

Vision Airlines' business model is based on offering non-stop and direct flights to Florida from secondary U.S. cities that have been ignored by the major airlines.

People in these cities are currently forced to fly in cramped regional jets, endure long layovers while connecting through other cities and they must pay extremely high airfares.

Vision Airlines now offers Boeing 737 jet flights and Dornier 328 turbo prop flights on direct routes that other airlines do not fly.

"Essentially, Vision Airlines has no competition," says well-known aviation industry analyst Michael Boyd. "Therefore, Vision Airlines is likely to be very successful."

FINE PRINT ABOUT FARES

*Fares shown exclude Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00, September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement and US segment fee of $3.70 per segment. A segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. All fares are one-way. Round trip purchase not required. All fares are non-refundable and a $100 fee per person applies to change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Baggage Fees of up to $30 each way per checked bag. Seats are limited and subject to availability and may not be available on all flights. Fares, routes and schedules are subject to change without notice.

SOURCE Vision Airlines