Chattanoogans enjoy less hassle when flying out of our local airport, but now that fuel prices have sky-rocketed a new study says Chattanooga is one of the most likely places to loose flights.
WDEF News 12's Mandy Odom explains.
So far this year, two airlines have pulled flights out of the Chattanooga market.
Skybus went out of business in April, eliminating the direct flight to Columbus, Ohio, and Continential is suspending it's flight to Houston starting in September.
A study released by the Business Travel Coalition names Chattanooga as one of three cities in Tennessee at risk of losing air service due to rising fuel prices.
Chattanooga Metro Airport officials disagree saying there's no hard data to back it up.
Airport Spokesperson Christina Siebold says, "When you look at our market, we've seen incredible strength over the past few several years. We've more than doubled the air service options available from Chattanooga, and while the airline industry is clearly in a very challenging position right now, we look forward to a time when oil prices moderate, and we're able to get back to growing our air service."
Siebold says she knows of no airline that plans to cut service in Chattanooga, but many airlines have had to increase fares.
Bruce Conn from Rome, Georgia says he flies out of Chattanooga a lot for business.
He says it's expensive, but often necessary.
Conn says, "I've had to cancel some trips, and we're using alternative ways of getting with people, conference calling, video conferencing and so forth, but still face to face time is very important in almost any business, and so you still have to do a lot of flying to meet with people in other cities."
The BTC study says if fuel prices remain at $130 a barrel, some airlines will be forced out of business.
Siebold says while the industry hasn't seen a major liquidation in years, airlines have operated in bankruptcy before while restructuring.
Siebold says, "Looking locally at what it is that we're doing. We're looking to continue to keep our costs down to the airlines, and continue to offer great customer service for our customers coming through the front door to make sure the Chattanooga airport continues to be a great option for them."
In Chattanooga, Mandy Odom WDEF News 12.
You can fly to 12 different locations out of Chattanooga.