BY MARTIN ZABELL, Times of Northwest Indiana Correspondent
GARY | A yellow light on JetBlue Airways' plan for more flights at O' Hare International Airport could result in some green for Gary/Chicago International Airport.
On Wednesday, airport officials in Gary renewed their vows to pursue the low-cost passenger carrier as they discussed last week's decision by the Federal Aviation Administration to allow JetBlue to fly to or from O'Hare International Airport four times per day.
JetBlue wanted eight flights per day at O'Hare and could seek other airports to accommodate its desire for four additional daily flights from the Chicago market. In recent years, the New York-based airline has shown interest in the Gary airport. That interest has been reciprocated and was reiterated at Wednesday's Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority board meeting.
"The airport will continue to pursue them as an option," Chris Curry, airport director, told the board. "It is a viable option to have them at this airport some day."
The discussion about JetBlue came just one day after SkyValue USA began booking reservations from Gary to Ft. Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa/St. Petersburg. On Dec. 15, SkyValue will become the first passenger airline at the Gary airport since Hooters Air pulled flights in January before ceasing operations fully.
Persuading JetBlue to fly into Gary would be a huge coup for the airport, because the airline has become very successful in its six years. Beside low prices, it has become known for amenities like 36-channel televisions for every passenger and wines. It is the largest carrier at New York's Kennedy International Airport, but the four flights at O'Hare will be JetBlue's first in Chicago. United Airlines opposed JetBlue's request for any flights.
On Wednesday, Gary airport authority board members expressed support for JetBlue flying into Northwest Indiana. The airport's 7,000-foot runway -- which will be extended to 8,900 feet within three years -- can accommodate JetBlue's planes.
"They've been on our radar screen," said Ross Amundson, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels' appointee to the board.
Today, JetBlue officials will hold a press conference at O'Hare to discuss their plans for Chicago service.