By Juan Montoya
Ignoring the rantings of disaffected bloggers and other naysayers, the board of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation on Thursday approved footing half of the $500,000 start-up incentive seed-money contingent of the City of Brownsville approving the other half and brought the city one step closer to becoming the aviation hub of northern Mexico and South Texas.
The vote came after board members questioned of Brownsville-South Padre Island Airport director Larry Brown and his staff after Fly Frontera representative Carlos Quintanilla made a half-hour presentation outlining the plans of the airline.
Brown and his staff presented studies showing that direct airline service to Monterrey and Tampico has been the aim of most cities along the border but that not even Laredo, McAllen or Harlingen provide it.
Extensive studies were passed out to the board members outlining the feasibility of the proposal
and said the background of its principals have all turned out to be positive.
"They are both squaky clean," Brown told the board.
"They" refers to Charter Air Transport (CAT) a U. S. Direct Air Carrier that presently operates five (5) Embraer EMB-120 “Brasilia” 30-passenger regional airliners in addition to other turbine-powered aircraft and has a TSA-approved full aircraft security program permitting operations into and out of “sterile” airport terminals and Public Charters.
CAT has significant experience in operating scheduled public charter programs, both in the continental US and internationally.
Jim Gallagher, president of Public Charters said he can start offering competitive airline service primarily between Tampico, Tamaulipas, and Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and Brownsville by June 1 out of the Brownsville-South Padre Island international Airport.
Board members agreed that while in the past the idea was feasible, it has become increasingly attractive as violence in northern Mexico makes it hazardous for businessmen and the average citizen to travel on Mexican highways.
"We can vote to fund it contingent on the City of Brownsville kicking in the other half," said GBIC legal counsel Mark Sossi.
Members were assured by Brown and city commissioner Charlie Atkinson that they have already approached the city of South Padre Island, the Port of Brownsville, and other interested players to give their support and pitch in to establish the service.
"We have received proposals from investors who want to establish an airline from scratch before," said Jason Hitts, director of the Brownsville Economic Development Corporation. "In those cases they wanted to start up an airline. In this case, the airline already exists and is ready to go."
Brown said the airport's staff had included a list for the members outlining where the$500,000 in seed money would be spent. The members also were informed that the GBIC and the city hnad a 180-day fallback period where they could withdraw their support if they were not satisfied with the airline's performance.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
rita
11 comments:
Great news, lets hope it goes through the city commission soon.
Is Jason Hilts of BEDC talking about Pan American Airways when he said "We have received proposals from investors who want to establish an airline from scratch before"? What ever happened to Pan American Airways anyway? There was lots of talk about Pan Am offering flights to Mexico, but they seem to be moving very slow on it. Then they (Pan Am) said that they would only be offering cargo flights and not airline passengers.
Do you have a hard-on for Charlie Atkinson?
That idiotic fat fuck?
What the fuck man are you fucking gay????????????
Scared shitless, alone in corner of truck, looking away
I cannot believe that in the current economic climate our city leaders are going to throw half a million dollars at a private enterprise. If it was going to be profitable, Frontera should be able to fund its own startup costs.
This is absolutely ridiculous. Millions of dollars spent at the Sports Park and now this. I can't help but wonder whose pockets are getting lined.
If it is "absolutely ridiculous" then why are Continental and American Airlines flying out of Brownsville today. I believe they both started with local incentives, as similarly offered to "Fly Frontera". And as for the "current economic climate", doesn't it make sense to lure the Mexican wealth "dollars" coming over to the US, to our side of the border. What price tag or investment dollar would you put on something like this;moron?
Holes and hope.
Will hope and faith fill the hole,
or will the funds dribble and flow away, much like the shell that is now Titan?
Look deep into the hole, city officials, and NEVER take your eyes off it!
The kind version: all who want this business are advocating it for the BEST of the city and area, not for their private gain, though airline officials and workers will be paid ....
But what happens to the half million if the airline fails?
Is it "gone"?
Faith and hope ...wings and a prayer ...money and a benefit ...?
Has anyone had the sense to examine the overall health of the aviation industry? Back out Southwest and find me one healthy airline. Major, regional, charter....any segment. And for the record,your description of the Quintanilla conviction is a sensational LIE.
IS THERE A BRIBE FOR MARANILLO AND GOOD TIME CHARLIE IF FLY MOSQUERA COMES TO TOWN?
The airlines are subsidized by government. Plain and simple. If it weren't for the subsidies, they would all be losing money. We subsidize so that we may get to different locations in matter of hours and not days. You really need to ask yourself if you really want to subsidize this venture. This will really benefits those who travel to Mexico. You also have to figure how many people will use this service and figure if that makes any economic sense for the city to put up the tab to ensure Fly Frontera makes profit at taxpayer's expense.
American Airlines and Continental rceived multi million guarantees and no one is bitching about that. Flying to Monterrey and tampico makes more sense, since Mexicans are buying homes, establsihing business, spending at our malls and indiretly creating jobs. It is a no brainer.
Good job GBIC you had the vision to do something good for Brownsville. When will we stop be the step child of the valley.
Post a Comment