Sponsor: Charlotte County Airport Authority 

Punta Gorda Airport

Gary Quill, Executive Director

Dun & Bradstreet DUNS Number: 07-323-3934

Tax Identification Number: 59-1082365

Congressional District Code: FL-16

Punta Gorda Airport

Punta Gorda, Florida

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program

For Marketing and Advertising Support

Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTORY LETTERS .........................................................................................................................2

SUMMARY INFORMATION (SOLICITATION APPENDIX C)......................................................................4

E. Project Cost: Do Not Enter Text in Shaded Area.............................................................................................. 5

F. In-Kind Contributions** .......................................................................................................................................... 5

G. Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process? ................................ 6

H. Is Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? (If “Yes”, Provide Explanation)........................................ 6

INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................7

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................8

Catchment Area........................................................................................................................................................ 8

Existing Air Service ...................................................................................................................................................... 9

Punta Gorda Air Service History .............................................................................................................................. 9

AIR SERVICE NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES ..............................................................................................11

Tourism Industry......................................................................................................................................................... 11

Air Service Deficiencies........................................................................................................................................... 12

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NEW AIR SERVICE .............................................................................................13

Allegiant Will Establish a Base at Punta Gorda .................................................................................................. 14

Air Service Development Efforts............................................................................................................................ 14

Use of Marketing Funds........................................................................................................................................... 15

Public-Private Partnerships...................................................................................................................................... 15

Funding Plan, Implementation Timeline and the Route to Sustainability...................................................... 16

Monitoring Grant Progress and Legal Sponsor................................................................................................... 17

SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................................19
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

3

INTRODUCTORY LETTER
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

4

SUMMARY INFORMATION (SOLICITATION APPENDIX C)

Small Community Air Service Development Program

Summary Information: Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

A. Applicant Information (Check All That Apply)

 Not a Consortium Interstate Consortium Intrastate Consortium

 Community now receives EAS subsidy

 Community (or Consortium member) previously received a Small Community Grant

If previous recipient: Date of Grant: ______________ Expiration date of Grant: _______________

Federal Funds Requested: ________________________________________________________________

Carrier(s) Service Obtained: ______________________________________________________________

Destination(s) Served: ____________________________________________________________________

B. Public/Private Partnership (List Organization Names)

Public:

1. City of Punta Gorda

2. Charlotte County

Private:

1. Charlotte Harbor Visitors and Convention Bureau

C. Project Proposal (Check All That Apply)

 Marketing Upgrade Aircraft New Route

 Travel Bank Service Restoration Subsidy

 Surface Transportation Regional Service Revenue Guarantee

 Launch New Carrier Start-Up Cost Offset First Service

 Study Secure Additional Service Other (explain below)

Service Restoration in specific markets formerly served by Direct Air and/or Skybus
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

5

D. Existing Landing Aids at Airport

 Full ILS Outer/Middle Marker Published Instrument Approach

 Localizer Other: VOR Approach

E. Project Cost: Do Not Enter Text in Shaded Area

Line Description Sub Total Total Amount

1 Federal amount requested $ 140,000 

2 State cash financial contribution $ -

Local cash financial contribution

3a Airport cash funds $ 30,000 

3b Non-airport cash funds $ 30,000 

3 Total local cash funds (3a+3b) $ 60,000 

4 TOTAL CASH FUNDING (1+2+3) $ 150,000 

In-Kind contribution

5a Airport In-Kind contribution** $ -

5b Other In-Kind contribution** $ -

5 TOTAL IN-KIND CONTRIBUTION (5a+5b) $ -

6 TOTAL PROJECT COST (4+6) $ 200,000 

F. In-Kind Contributions**

For Funds in lines 5a (Airport In-Kind Contribution) and 5b (Other In-Kind Contribution), 

please describe the source(s) of fund(s) for each.
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

6

G. Is Application Subject to Review by State Under Executive Order 12372 Process?

 a. This application was made available to the state under the Executive Order 12372

Process for review on (date) ___________.

 b. Program is subject to E.O. 12372, but has not been selected by the state for review.

 c. Program is not covered by E.O. 12372

H. Is Applicant Delinquent on any Federal Debt? (If “Yes”, Provide Explanation)

 No Yes 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

7

INTRODUCTION

Southwest Florida stretches along the Gulf Coast from the southern shores of Tampa Bay to the western edge of 

the Everglades. The seven-county area has a population of over 1.8 million and contains well known MSA’s

including Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Cape Coral-Fort Myers, and Naples-Marco Island.

The area’s tourism attractions and venues are well known and attract millions of annual visitors to our 

communities.

The Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) is a unique aviation facility. The airport is immediately adjacent to Interstate 75, 

the primary highway for all of Southwest Florida. We are the most centrally located airport in the region, with 

almost every major regional population center and tourist destination within a 90-minute drive. The airport 

features a well-designed and ultra-low-cost airline terminal facility which is currently being expanded. On the 

field are extensive aviation related industrial facilities that contribute significant rental income to the airport and 

thus lower the facility-related cost burdens of scheduled air service, while contributing substantially to the local 

economy.

The Airport’s air service has seen severe ups and downs during the last decade. Low-cost carrier SkyBus Airlines

flew from Punta Gorda Airport from December 2007 until March 2008. Although the service was brief, passenger 

response to it was stunning. In fact, the airport has struggled to obtain similar traffic levels since. The traffic 

levels did pique the interests of other carriers, with Part 380 charter carrier Direct Air arriving at Punta Gorda 

Airport in November 2008 followed by Allegiant in March 2009. While the airport was successful in quickly 

restoring air service, we did not approach passenger levels similar to the Skybus experience until 2011. First 

quarter 2012 was on track to be a record success as well, when Direct Air suddenly ceased operations.

Because of the growing number of passengers at the airport, a number of growth initiatives were underway. A 

new control tower opened in February 2012. A comprehensive project to relocate the airport operator’s offices 

to accommodate a terminal expansion was well underway. The Charlotte County Airport Authority elected to 

continue the terminal expansion after Direct Air ceased operations. This was a good decision, as just a month 

later, in April 2012, Allegiant announced it would base at least two aircraft at the airport and add additional 

new routes.
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

8

The airport and its community partners need marketing dollars to aid Allegiant and prospective new airlines in 

effectively marketing the Punta Gorda Airport as a gateway to Southwest Florida. This Grant application 

requests $140,000 in Department funding matched by $60,000 in local funds. The total of $200,000 will give the 

Airport the ability to ensure the success of existing routes and encourage carriers to add additional flights.

Additional flights will lower the cost of air travel to Southwest Florida, improve access to the region for tourists, 

residents, and businesses, and thus confer a significant local economic benefit. This modest Grant funding 

request is entirely consistent with the purpose of the Grant Program and Department funds will enable new air

service that will have a significant positive local economic impact. 

AIR SERVICE OVERVIEW

Catchment Area

Punta Gorda Airport (UST) is situated in Charlotte 

County, Florida, about midway between Fort 

Myers and Sarasota. There are over 1.8 million 

people within the airport’s seven-country 

catchment area. This area includes the entirety of 

four Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs): 

Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Punta Gorda, Cape 

Coral-Fort Myers, and Naples-Marco Island.

The airport is within a 90-minute drive from almost 

any location in the seven-country catchment 

area. The major population and tourist areas in 

Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Sarasota are within a 

60-minute drive. This is due to our extremely 

convenient location, just off Interstate 75. As the 

primary highway in Southwest Florida, I-75 

singularly provides access to the entire region with 

ample support from surface roads.

Exhibit 1: Catchment Area of Punta Gorda Airport

Source: Sixel Consulting Group
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

9

Existing Air Service

Within Punta Gorda’s seven-county catchment area, Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is the primary

air carrier airport in the region. All of the network carriers have a presence at RSW, located in the southern half 

of the region near Fort Myers. Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) also hosts air carrier flights, 

although service is much more limited than at RSW. SRQ is located in the northern half of the catchment area.

It is widely established, despite commercial air service at SRQ, that the northern portion of Punta Gorda 

Airport’s catchment area suffers from severe “leakage”. Leakage is an industry term referring to when 

passengers destined to or from one region use an airport in another region. In the case of Sarasota and 

Manatee Counties, the leakage is primarily to Tampa International Airport, although likely occurs to other 

airports as well. The passenger leakage from which this area suffers is likely related to SRQ’s higher average fare 

and largely duplicative flight offerings versus other airports in the region.

Punta Gorda Airport is a distinctly different airport. PGD is designed to be an extremely low cost airport. This is 

in stark contrast to the other airports in our catchment area, which have some of the highest cost per enplaned 

passenger in Florida. This focus has allowed Punta Gorda’s airline and destination offerings to be unique. The 

airlines that have flown to PGD have flown to no other airport in our region and typically few others in the state 

of Florida. These carriers have focused on airports with no other nonstop service to Southwest Florida.

Punta Gorda Air Service History

For most of the period since the 

airline industry was deregulated in 

1978, Punta Gorda has not had 

commercial air service. Intrastate 

turboprop flights were offered early 

on, but were largely discontinued by 

the mid-1980s. The airport was left 

without commercial service until 

2007, when low-cost Skybus Airlines 

came to PGD.

Exhibit 2: Annual Passengers at Punta Gorda Airport

Source: Punta Gorda Airport
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

10

Skybus began service in December 2007 from its home base 

in Columbus, Ohio, and from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 

A month later, flights to a new base in Greensboro, North 

Carolina, began. The initial services to Columbus and 

Portsmouth were an immediate success, with December 

load factors of 76% and 81% respectively. Greensboro 

service, which began in January, was not as well received, 

attaining load factors of less than 50%. Although not 

included in Department T-100 data, March 2008 was the 

best month for Skybus at Punta Gorda. According to airport records, Skybus recorded over forty thousand 

passengers using six daily flights to the three airports.

Unfortunately for Skybus, the success at Punta Gorda Airport was not enough to overcome mounting 

challenges. Fuel was persistently high and increasing at an alarming rate. Aggressive growth led the carrier 

into markets which did not perform financially, such as Columbus, Ohio, to Niagara Falls, New York, which was 

cancelled before a single flight left the ground. There were operational problems where, over Christmas 2007, 

employees damaged two of the company’s seven aircraft resulting in cancelled vacations, angry passengers 

and negative media coverage. The result of the mounting pressure was that Skybus suspended operations in 

early April 2008 –due entirely to issues unrelated to the success found at Punta Gorda Airport.

After the collapse of Skybus, airport officials went to work on recruiting replacement air service. New flights 

from two carriers were secured by early 2009. The first carrier was a FAR Part 380 charter operator marketing 

itself as Direct Air. Flights began in November 2008 and, within a year, Direct Air was flying to a number of cities, 

most without any nonstop service to Southwest Florida, including Allentown, Pennsylvania, Toledo, Ohio, and 

Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The second carrier was ultra-low-cost Allegiant. Flights on Allegiant began in March 2009 to destinations in the 

mid-South including Greenville/Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee. In order to operate in 

Punta Gorda, Allegiant stepped outside of its already well-defined business model. Allegiant’s model typically 

requires aircraft, flight crews, and maintenance facilities in the destination city, such as Punta Gorda. But the 

company was not prepared to commit such resources to PGD. Thus flight opportunities were limited by the 

location of Allegiant’s flight bases, crew duty limits, and other efficiency requirements.
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

11

Through March 2012, both carriers were able to 

increase passengers, add destinations, and grow their 

business. Traffic was increasing annually, and airport 

facilities became constrained. Thus, the Charlotte 

County Airport Authority began to move forward with 

its master plan including construction of a control 

tower and larger terminal building.

In March 2012, Direct Air, the larger of the two carriers 

operating at Punta Gorda Airport, suddenly 

suspended all operations. Financial difficulties related 

to its fueling supply had caused a few flights to be 

cancelled on March 12. The carrier suspended 

operations, promising to return to the skies on May 15, 

2012. That was not to be, as within a few days the 

carrier filed for bankruptcy liquidation.

On April 10, 2012, Punta Gorda Airport’s other carrier, 

Allegiant, announced it would base up to one aircraft 

at PGD with new flights to Niagara Falls, New York, 

Peoria, Illinois, and South Bend and Fort Wayne, 

Indiana, beginning June 27, 2012. Only Niagara Falls, 

among Allegiant’s new destinations, directly replaces service previously offered by Direct Air from Punta Gorda.

AIR SERVICE NEEDS AND DEFICIENCIES

Tourism Industry

Tourism is a major industry in Southwest Florida. There are over 26,000 rooms at over 425 hotels within 90 minutes 

of the Punta Gorda Airport. The Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau reports that tourism in the Fort 

Myers area contributes $3 Billion to the economy and is directly responsible for 1 of 5 jobs. They estimate that 

over 4.6 million people visited Fort Myers and Lee County in 2011. Similarly, the Bradenton Area Convention 

Exhibit 3: Map of Suspended Direct Air Flights

Source: Punta Gorda Airport
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

12

and Visitors Bureau estimates that Manatee County sees about 2.5 million annual visitors, each of whom 

contribute $945 to the county’s economy.

One of the key elements of a strong tourism industry is access to transportation. In Florida, access to air 

transportation and direct flights from many origin markets is critical. Southwest Florida’s tourism industry 

competes for visitors and tourism dollars with other warm weather beach locations and venues in Florida, on 

the North American continent, and in the Caribbean. 

Air Service Deficiencies

Commercial airline capacity and 

traffic are declining in Southwest 

Florida. For an economy that 

depends on transportation and 

tourism, a continuation of this trend 

will be an incredible challenge. 

Since 2007, average daily 

departures from Southwest Florida 

airports are down 14%. Average 

daily seats over the same period are 

down 11%. This indicates that 

aircraft with more seats per flight are 

being used. This is a national trend 

related to increasing seats on 

existing narrow-body aircraft and 

reduced reliance on the smallest regional jets in airline fleets. 

Fortunately for our tourism industry, traffic is only down 7% during this period. The performance of traffic relative 

to capacity suggests that airlines are accommodating more passengers per flight though increased load 

factors. This trend is also pervasive throughout the industry, with some carriers like Allegiant routinely achieving 

system-wide load factors in excess of 90%. While it is a positive that reductions in traffic have been less severe 

due to increased load factors, this is a trend that cannot continue as it becomes more and more difficult to 

increase load factors. Thus any future capacity reductions will have similar reductions in traffic.

Exhibit 4: Seats, Passengers, and Fights per Day from Southwest Florida

Source: Punta Gorda Airport
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

13

Beyond the pure loss of seats, the quality of air service to Southwest Florida has deteriorated. Since 2007, the 

airports in the seven-county catchment area have seen service eliminated from Long Island/Islip, Memphis, 

Providence, Rochester, and Washington-Dulles. Several markets have seen year-round service reduced to 

seasonal service, or seasonal service with shorter runs. The region has lost important low fare competition from 

Air Tran Airways at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and both Skybus and Direct Air from Punta Gorda 

Airport.

When compared to the other major tourist regions of Florida, Southwest Florida competes at a distinct 

disadvantage. Our region has nonstop access from only 50 airports across the United States. In addition to 

having more flights and seats, our competitor regions have access to more domestic destinations nonstop:

 Orlando (includes Orlando and Orlando/Sanford): 122

 Tampa Bay (includes Tampa and St. Petersburg/Clearwater): 84

 South Florida (includes Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach): 78

 Southwest Florida (includes Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, and Sarasota/Bradenton): 50

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NEW AIR SERVICE

In order for Southwest Florida and its tourism economy to grow, it is critical that air service continue to grow. 

Growth can be in the form of additional flights to existing destinations as well as service to new destinations. 

Punta Gorda Airport is uniquely positioned to be the airport to support that growth.

First, PGD is the most conveniently located airport in the region. Airlines can operate from one airport, yet with 

proper marketing support, compete for passengers destined anywhere in Southwest Florida, from Bradenton to 

Marco Island.

Second, Punta Gorda Airport has available capacity. With the suspension of flights by Direct Air, the airport 

now has adequate capacity to accommodate additional service. When the terminal expansion is completed 

the airport will have even more capacity available for the airlines and a friendly, inviting environment for 

passengers.
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

14

Allegiant Will Establish a Base at Punta Gorda

On April 10, 2012, Allegiant issued a press release indicating 

that it will establish a base of operations at Punta Gorda 

Airport. This exciting news means that Allegiant will assign 

one aircraft to be based at the airport, along with an 

appropriate amount of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics, 

and support facilities to run the new operation. This decision 

by Allegiant will allow the company to consider new markets 

from Southwest Florida which did not fit in its previous method 

of operating in the region and create a platform for air 

service growth. In fact, Allegiant also announced new 

service to four destinations: Niagara Falls, New York, Peoria, 

Illinois, and Fort Wayne and South Bend Indiana. Three of the 

four destination airports will receive their first nonstop flights 

from Southwest Florida through this announcement, with 

Niagara Falls service essentially replacing the flights 

suspended by Direct Air.

Although the announcement of a base by Allegiant creates 

a platform for air service growth, it by no means assures success. In order to maintain profitability and respond 

to customer demand, the company has made the difficult decision to close bases in its past. The carrier has 

also discontinued flights on underperforming routes, including flights from Punta Gorda to Grand Rapids, 

Michigan, and Greensboro/Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Air Service Development Efforts

Punta Gorda Airport has been active in air service development recruitment. In addition to working with 

Allegiant to secure the base, airport officials have meet with planners from US Airways, Frontier, Republic 

Holdings, Direct Air, Cape Air, SeaPort, and Pinnacle Airlines within the past year. The airport will continue to 

pursue additional air service from incumbent carriers and bringing new airlines to the airport.

Exhibit 5: Allegiant Punta Gorda Base

Source: OAG / UBM Aviation
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

15

Use of Marketing Funds

Should the airport be awarded a grant under this program, it is our intention to aggressively market Punta 

Gorda Airport as the gateway to Southwest Florida. The airport will work with all airlines at the airport to assist in 

route-specific marketing for existing, recently announced, and potential new routes. We intend to use the 

marketing funds as a mechanism to entice additional service for Winter of 2012-2013 and beyond. The 

marketing funds will also be used to ensure passengers are aware of service restorations, particularly when 

service is restored by a different carrier.

While the exact marketing program will depend on details of the carrier, market, and available resources, the 

airport envisions the marketing funds being used both in Southwest Florida and destination markets. The 

marketing may include many different media, including:

 Radio promotions and ticket/hotel give-a-ways.

 Billboards emphasizing the destination and carrier in addition to the airport.

 Print and newspaper advertisements.

 E-mail and postal mailings to targeted potential customers.

 Online advertising tied to internet search engines and online travel agencies.

 Grass roots efforts designed to maximize exposure in both the destination market and our region.

Finally, the airport would work in close coordination with other entities with an interest in marketing our airport. 

This might include existing destination marketing campaigns outside of this program organized by other 

organizations such as the Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau. The airport would also work with the 

carriers involved to benefit from their expertise in marketing travel and air service to their customers.

Public-Private Partnerships

The Airport’s government and private sector partners in air service development include:

 The City Punta Gorda

 Charlotte County Airport Authority

 Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

16

Funding Plan

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport are requesting grant funds in the amount of 

$140,000 from the Department. This funding will be matched $45,000 in local funding - $30,000 provided by 

Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau and $30,000 provided by Charlotte County Airport Authority. 

Thus the Punta Gorda community will fund 30% of the $200,000 marketing project.

While we cannot know the exact expenditure rate for Grant funding, we believe that Grant supported 

marketing efforts will begin in October 2012 and run through September 2014, as appropriate for optimum 

support of new air service. Thus the Airport requests that its Grant have at least a two year term.

Route to Sustainability

Marketing and promotion alone cannot make a new air service successful, nor be its downfall. However, the 

Airport and all Grant stakeholders recognize that marketing and promotion are one essential element of a 

successful new air service.

The Airport has a comprehensive airport facility and ground handling package that complements the 

marketing and promotional efforts this Grant will support. These key elements, combined with local funding, 

and committed airline partners, will allow new air service to thrive in Punta Gorda. We will also be prepared to 

make mid-course adjustments in strategy and tactics, as needed. The Airport and its local partners understand 

the need for success and will commit additional resources, as needed, to ensure that success.
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

17

Monitoring Grant Progress and Legal Sponsor

The airport will monitor performance of the grant and submit quarterly summaries to the Department. 

Performance measurements will include:

 Status and activity related to air service recruitment efforts.

 Communications with the air carrier to review advanced bookings.

 Reviewing and Monitoring of Department data sources including T-100 and Table DB1A.

The Charlotte County Airport Authority, operator of Punta Gorda Airport, is the legal sponsor for this project. 

Executive Director Gary Quill will be responsible for the administration of the grant. Oversight will include (but 

not be limited to):

 Liaison with the Department, including the timely filing of all quarterly Grant status update reports

 Conclusion of all agreements with prospective airlines to serve the Airport

 Coordination and oversight of the implementation of Grant supported marketing and promotional 

efforts

 Oversight and coordination of the regular performance reviews of Grant supported efforts to ensure

program success

 Approval of all expenditures of Grant funding, in close coordination with the Department and Grant 

program stakeholders

The contact information for the Legal Sponsor is:

Punta Gorda Airport

Gary Quill

Executive Director

28000 A-1 Airport Road

Punta Gorda, Florida 33982

941.639.1101

gquill@flypgd.com
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

18

Implementation Timeline

Applications for Small Community Air Service Development Grants are due to the department on June 11, 

2012. It is anticipated that awards will be granted in the Third Quarter with final contracts signed with the 

Department by September 2012. Based on that schedule, the airport has developed the timeline displayed in 

Exhibit 6. Although the timeline is tentative, we anticipate that we will begin the marketing project 

immediately, as the airport has already secured new air service on Allegiant to four cities as described earlier.

Exhibit 6: Marketing Project Implementation

Source: Punta Gorda Airport

Date Activity Status

June 2012 Complete and File Grant Application via Grants.gov. Complete

Submit Support Letters from carriers and community interests Complete

Q3 2012 Receive Grant Award and Negotiate Details with the Department

Q4 2012 Create and Plan Marketing Campaign

Begin Marketing Activities

Work with Carrier to monitor bookings

Continue to recruit additional air service

Q1 2012 Begin monitoring of DOT data to complete feedback loop

Beyond Continue marketing as appropriate through Q2 2014
 

 

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

Charlotte County Airport Authority and Punta Gorda Airport

Application Under the Small Community Air Service Development Program; Docket DOT-OST-2012-0069

19

SUMMARY

The economic vitality of Southwest Florida depends on a strong tourism industry. Tourism requires substantial 

access to transportation, including air service. In order for Southwest Florida’s economy to grow, it must grow its 

air service offerings. The best opportunity to grow air service in the region is at Punta Gorda Airport.

Since commercial air service at PGD was restored in 2007, the airport has had a legacy of cultivating air service 

that is unique in Southwest Florida, rather than duplicative with other regional airports. While the airlines and 

their business plans may change, the traffic growth that has been achieved at Punta Gorda Airport is proof 

that our concept is working.

Few airports apply for a Small Community Air Service Development Grant with a plan for growth as solid as this 

application. Should Punta Gorda Airport be awarded a grant, the airport will have the ability and mechanisms 

in place to immediately move forward with the marketing project. In fact, this project will not even need to 

wait for an airline to be recruited, as Allegiant has already announced new flights from Punta Gorda Airport.

While Allegiant’s new operational base at the airport provides a platform for growth, it cannot be taken for 

granted. The decision to create a base at Punta Gorda Airport does not ensure its success. Instead, the airport 

will take the lead and ensure the community’s interest is protected by ensuring the success of new air service 

by Allegiant or new carriers through marketing, thus creating economic benefits throughout Southwest Florida.

In this Grant proposal the Punta Gorda Airport is seeking a modest amount of Grant funding for the marketing 

and promotion of new air service at the airport. The Airport already has in place an innovative and creative 

package of airport facility and ground handling services that will allow new entrant carriers to operate at much 

lower costs than at other regional airports.

This Grant application is both modest in its funding need and precise in its focus. It is precisely the type of 

innovative and creative air service development effort the SCASD program was intended to support.

The Airport and its partners thank the Department for its consideration of this application.