Island hopping made easy

Southern Airways to make Nantucket hop easy

By JOHN HOWELL
Posted 5/23/19

By JOHN HOWELL Those behind the latest service to be announced at T.F. Green - flights to Nantucket Island beginning next month - see the airport as an attractive alternative to passengers who would otherwise have to put up with the hassle of Boston or

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Island hopping made easy

Southern Airways to make Nantucket hop easy

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Those behind the latest service to be announced at T.F. Green – flights to Nantucket Island beginning next month – see the airport as an attractive alternative to passengers who would otherwise have to put up with the hassle of Boston or New York to access connections across the country or internationally.

On Wednesday, Mark Cestari, chief commercial officer of Southern Airways Express, announced the commuter airline would operate eight-passenger Cessna Caravans daily, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with fares beginning at $179 each way. Tickets are on sale now.

Cestari is no stranger to Rhode Island or to Green Airport. He was the director of the Providence/Warwick Visitors Convention Bureau in the 1990s when the late Gov. Bruce Sundlun built the terminal and Southwest Airlines brought discount fares to the region.

Cestari described the Cessna Caravan as a roomy aircraft in which every passenger gets an aisle and window seat and with the cargo space to accommodate golf bags and bicycles.

Based in Pompano Beach, Florida, and founded in 2013, Southern Airways Express has quickly grown to become one of the largest commuter airlines in the United States, according to a press release. It is also offering service to Nantucket from Norwood, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut.

“This all came about rather quickly,” Cestari said from a podium in the Mary Brennan Room, where less than 24 hours earlier Sun Country Airlines announced flights to the Dominican Republic beginning in November. And indeed, it seemed things were happening quickly, for as he prepared to address questions Cestari was interrupted by a phone call.

Iftikhar Ahmad, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corp., hailed Southern Airways Express’ entry into the local market as providing passengers with greater opportunities and broadening Green’s reach.

While Nantucket has a small year-round population, Cestari pointed out that the population swells during the summer and there is a high volume of people who own second homes on the island. He sees summer visitors and those owning island property as a group who would welcome the opportunity to avoid the drive and ferry time to reach the island – and, just as importantly, the hassle of Boston or New York.

Cestari said plans are to operate the service through Columbus Day weekend, although that could be extended depending on demand.

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