http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/archivesearch/local_story_118212955.html Published: April 28, 2009 09:28 pm Locair set to expand local flight schedules By CHRIS HARRIS, CJ Staff Writer Commonwealth Journal Somerset =97 When commercial air travel out of Lake Cumberland Regional Airport began last December, you could hop a plane to Nashville, and talk was that Cincinnati might soon become another option. It has, and carrier Locair has done local customers one better =97 non-stop flights to Washington D.C. Beginning soon, Locair will be providing scheduled flights to the nation=92s capital and the =93Queen City=94 of Ohio along with the Music City. Like Nashville has done all along, Cincinnati and Washington D.C. will serve as hubs for local travelers =97 you can continue on to any other destination you like from those locations. You can also catch a flight to Somerset from those airports. Service to Cincinnati will begin Thursday, May 21, with reservations for Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Passengers can go to D.C. starting Monday, June 8 on Mondays and Fridays. Flights to Cincinnati last approximately 45 minutes; flights to Washington will be about 80 minutes long. In Washington, travelers will be arriving and departing from Dulles International Airport. Nate Vallier, general manager of Locair, Inc., said that the company would like to look at utilizing Ronald Reagan National Airport there in D.C. at some point in the future as well, =93but we=92ll wait and see how we do at Dulles.=94 Don=92t think that trips inside the Beltway have much to do with the influence of Somerset=92s own Congressman Harold =93Hal=94 Rogers. =93When = we told Chris (Girdler, Rogers=92 local field representative), his eyes got really big,=94 said Vallier. =93They were surprised. ... (Rogers) really had no bearing on that decision.=94 Instead, it was because of local businesses which Locair surveyed saying they made regular trips to Washington. Attention paid to the needs of those in the community was the driving factor behind Locair=92s flight schedule, Vallier suggested. =93Our goal is to serve the public need,=94 said Vallier. =93We=92re please= d that we will be able to coordinate equipment and personnel to address the community=92s expectations and need for additional efficient air passenger service to and from the requested destinations.=94 Rogers, for his part, is pleased with the news. =93These new services pave the way for new economic development, more jobs and greater tourism in the Lake Cumberland region,=94 said the congressman. =93In these challenging economic times, I am delighted to see growth and increased development throughout the region. Locair=92s work to provide more options and opportunities for the community is appreciated and I look forward to their continued success.=94 Other local officials had equally positive things to say about the airport=92s expanded coverage. =93Cincinnati is a large market for our Lake Cumberland area,=94 said Carolyn Mounce, Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski Convention and Visitors Bureau. =93I view air service to and from Cincinnati as a great asset for our area. ... I view this as a great day for Somerset and Pulaski County.=94 Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler expressed appreciation to Locair for continuing to make a new regional industry through aviation. =93Locair=92s expansion reflects a good working partnership and commitment to the future economic growth of Somerset.=94 Agreed Vallier, =93We expect the additional destinations to be beneficial to the region=92s economic potentials as well as additional convenience to the traveling public. We have been experiencing an increase in demand for Nashville air service and as a result we have been listened to the community, residents, and businesses regarding their needs for additional availability in air service from Lake Cumberland Regional Airport in Somerset.=94 Added Michael Lochmueller, CEO of Locair, =93This is a great opportunity for us to evaluate the best markets for Somerset. By providing additional available flight options, we can expand the air transportation opportunities for visitors, businesses, and those living in southeast Kentucky desiring to travel into or out of the area by air.=94 Visit www.locair.net for more information, including flight booking and ticket pricing. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you wish to unsubscribe from the AIRLINE List, please send an E-mail to: "listserv@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx". Within the body of the text, only write the following:"SIGNOFF AIRLINE".