NEWS

Golf travelers feel sting as Hooters Air cancels many Myrtle Beach flights

(Dec. 19, 2005) ? Hooters Air has announced it will be suspending its flights from six locations until at least until March 2006 - including flights from Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas.

The cancellations will affect many who currently hold tickets on Hooters Air, as well as give traveling golfers in the air one less option for the time being.

The airline has announced it has canceled flights between the Grand Strand and six destinations -- Baltimore; Columbus, Ohio; Gary, Ind.; Pittsburgh; Nassau; and Las Vegas.

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"Permanent residents of Myrtle Beach know how quiet it gets in the off-season months with few travelers," Mark Peterson, president of Hooters Air, said on the company's Web site. "In the past years we have reduced the schedule and absorbed the costs. However, this year with the high cost of fuel and low participation the seasonal adjustments were necessary."

The cancellations will unfortunately leave many passengers with flights booked for the holidays in a bind.

It is the third year that Hooters Air reduced service for the slow season. Hooters Air ticket holders are being mailed refunds, and Peterson has said the airline can't do anything beyond that to aid passengers with last-minute travel plans, despite the late timing of the cancellations.

Recently, the Myrtle Beach-based carrier also announced it has permanently ended service from Greater Rockford Airport in Rockford, Ill., following a deal between the airport and United Airlines for competitive services.

The airline, which touts extra passenger leg room as well as its scantily clad "Hooters girls" on all flights, began operations from its home base in Myrtle Beach in March 2003.

The news is not all bad, however, said Kay Cox, of Myrtle Beach Tourism, a golf packaging service. Cox said she was sorry to hear the news about Hooters Air but remains very thankful for the other two discount airlines that service Myrtle Beach, Airtran and Spiritair.

"Historically, Myrtle Beach is the most economical golf destination in the U.S., with golf packages at their lowest rates December through February," she said. "During these months, whether our golfers are looking for Super Saver golf or Premium Signature golf, they want the best deal on their airfare, so I suggest Spirtair or Airtran for great discount rates."