Hold put on new Charleston to Orlando flights

A budget carrier will not begin flights to Florida from Yeager Yeager in Charleston next week as originally scheduled. PEOPLExpress announced Thursday it won’t be beginning its operations at Yeager or resuming operations at other airports until after the previously announced Oct. 16 date.

The airline has had a series of issues with its fleet and was initially unable to secure a replacement aircraft. A company statement Thursday said it now has an additional aircraft provider, which will alleviate service issues, but it’s going to take a number of days to resume service. The airline also has to get some regulatory approval.

PEOPLExpress was just starting at Yeager with new flights to Orlando. Yeager Airport Director Rick Atkinson said he still believes PEOPLExpress will be a good fit for Charleston.

“It’s disappointing but a lot of things are probably outside their control. It’s just how things work in aviation,” Atkinson said.

All passengers who have booked flights beginning Oct. 16 will receive complete refunds. Atkinson predicted PEOPLExpress will be ready to go sometime in early November.

“They have a new aircraft leasing provider and they have the number of aircraft they need. They will be able to take the time and get the airline up and operating,” he said.

Pre-booking numbers have been tremendous from Charleston according to Atkinson.

“It exceeded their expectations and there are some flights booked up over 100 (passengers) already and fairly far out,” he said.

PEOPLExpress announced service from Charleston to Orlando Sept. 3. A one-way ticket will cost $79.

When the service begins planes are scheduled to originate from Orlando and fly to Charleston with arrivals and departures slated for mid-afternoon Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Passengers will fly aboard 134-seat 737 aircraft on all flights.