Terre Haute Press Release on Branson Airport Flight Canellations - Springfield News-Leader reports

The Branson Airport has cancelled flights to Terre Haute, Ind. that were scheduled to begin May 17. Dennis Wiss, director of the Terre Haute International Airport, said the Branson Airport notified Terre Haute on Monday that the flights would be cancelled Tuesday. He said no reason was given for the cancellation. Branson Airport officials have not returned phone calls requesting comment. Although no reason was given for the cancellations, Wiss said it was easy to speculate. "I don't know if it's a function of the economy, but bookings were terrible," he said. A press release from the Terre Haute airport said that less than 2 percent of the seatings were sold. He also said bookings for Branson AirExpress's other four destinations that were announced in February — Austin, Texas; Houston; Des Moines, Iowa; and Shreveport, La. — were also poor. "None of the cities are looking good," Wiss said. According to the press release, the two airports agreed to a 50/50 partnership in which they would share expenses and revenues. The Terre Haute Airport would contribute up to $45,000 towards the costs of the flights, similar to that of the Branson Airport. However, Branson Airport Executive Director Jeff Bourk asked the Terre Haute airport board to pay approximately $285,000 of the cost of the flights, with the Branson Airport contributing $20,000. Terre Haute declined. Wiss said that any customers who had purchased tickets should contact the Branson Airport for a full refund. Wiss said the Branson Airport had approached Terre Haute about the arrangement, claiming that research revealed that Branson had 60 people from the Terre Haute area on any given day. Branson AirExpress was a service announced back in February that would form partnerships with other airports to provide air service. The flights will be operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. Recently, Branson AirExpress announced that it would begin two more flights — to Nashville, Tenn. and Gulfport, Miss. — beginning May 17