Sunday, November 25, 2012

What you should know when flying to or from Victoria

With holiday season upon us, many Crossroads residents will find themselves booking flights to visit friends and family all over. With Sun Air International's air service, which began Oct. 1, travelers can leave directly from Victoria.

Here, Airport Manager Jason Milewski offers a look at what you should know when it comes to booking a flight to or from the Victoria Regional Airport.

Round-trip flights cost $45 and up, but $45 seems to be the average.

Tickets are so affordable because, as with any start-up, there are kinks to be ironed out and issues to resolve. The airline wants to keep prices as low as possible to encourage ridership.

Sun Air International operates twin-engine Piper Chieftain aircraft. They can carry eight passengers per flight.

The airline has experienced some cancellations and delays as Victoria service gets under way, but personnel have accommodated passengers, using any means possible to get them to their destination. Issues are becoming less and less frequent.

Sun Air maintains an extra plane at the Victoria Regional Airport to protect against mechanical malfunctions or other issues that might cause delays or cancellations.

Flights last about 50 minutes but quality is difficult to gauge, since it is very much weather dependent.

Flights go to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

The Victoria Regional Airport's contract with Sun Air International is two years.

Airport personnel do not know the number of enplanements for Sun Air as of yet, but passenger numbers have exceeded expectations.

Passengers should arrive at the airport at least an hour before their flight to ensure they have time to complete check-in and security procedures.

The airline checks bags but, because of the plane's size, cargo holds are small. Airport personnel recommend people use carry-on-style bags.

"Particularly for the holiday season, I would encourage travelers to book their flights early. With just eight seats, flights fill up fast."

Source: Jason Milewski, Victoria Regional Airport manager

Flight schedule:

Monday through Friday:

Depart Victoria 6:15 a.m.

Arrive Houston 7:05 a.m.

Depart Houston 8 a.m.

Arrive Victoria 8:55 a.m.

Depart Victoria 10:15 a.m.

Arrive Houston 11:05 a.m.

Depart Houston 11:45 a.m.

Arrive Victoria 12:40 p.m.

Depart Victoria 1:45 p.m.

Arrive Houston 2:35 p.m.

Depart Houston 3:15 p.m.

Arrive Victoria 4:10 p.m.

Depart Victoria 4:50 p.m.

Arrive Houston 5:40 p.m.

Depart Houston 6:45 p.m.

Arrive Victoria 7:40 p.m.

Sunday:

Depart Victoria 1:45 p.m.

Arrive Houston 2:35 p.m.

Depart Houston 3:15 p.m.

Arrive Victoria 4:10 p.m.

Depart Victoria 4:50 p.m.

Arrive Houston 5:40 p.m.

Depart Houston 6:45 p.m.

Arrive Victoria 7:40 p.m.

Saturday:

Depart Victoria 6:15 a.m.

Arrive Houston 7:05 a.m.

Depart Houston 8 a.m.

Arrive Victoria 8:55 a.m.

Depart Victoria 10:15 a.m.

Arrive Houston 11:05 a.m.

Depart Houston 11:45 a.m.

Arrive Victoria 12:40 p.m. 

Source:   http://www.victoriaadvocate.com

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