Wednesday, Jul. 02, 2008

United Airlines to cut service in MB

United Airlines will reduce service in Myrtle Beach, going from year-round service to seasonal starting Nov. 2, a company spokesman said today.

United will resume flights on March 29, 2009, United spokesman Jeff Kovick said.

Myrtle Beach tourism leaders have been braced for flight reductions as oil prices spiral upward.

"I can't say we're surprised by the situation," said Brad Dean, president of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, which lobbies for air service in the Myrtle Beach area. "The rules of the game have changed. It used to be that we just had to focus on filling the airplane. ... But in many instances now, even a full plane doesn't break even."

Officials at the Myrtle Beach International Airport have not yet been notified of the change, said Lisa Bourcier, spokeswoman for Horry County, which owns and operates the airport.

Over the past few months, United has announced it would be grounding 100 planes, mostly 737s. The company is re-routing some regional jets, such as those that flew to Myrtle Beach, to take the place of the bigger planes.

"We are countering record-high fuel prices and a softening U.S. economy by taking aggressive action to reduce our capacity, retire aircraft, and eliminate the least profitable markets from our fall schedule so that we are able to compete effectively in this challenging environment," Kovick said in an e-mailed statement.

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