Comments on: New Airport Hyatt Taking Shape; Joint Project With Poarch Creeks

By: Rick

Rick — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 15:19:35 +0000

All this talk of International status and 747’s versus 757’s is fascinating. What caught my eye is the 235 new jobs being created by the building of a six- floor hotel. The “biggest-in-the-United States” crude oil transfer station in Jay only hired 15, with plans for another 15 in the future. Maybe I’m missing something here, but 235 jobs in a single medium sized hotel seems like the big deal to me. Regardless of what we call the airport or how much the planes weigh that land on it.

By: Gene

Gene — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 03:37:48 +0000

The 747 is on its way out..With the exception of the Boeing 747-800.
There are many aircraft flying with only two engines that are capable of flying transatlantic & transpacific flights.
You can safely fly the 757,767,777 over many miles.
You can safely flying from Johannesburg to Atlanta & Dubai to Los Angeles on two engines. **Google ETOPS..**
Need I remind you Sun Country flew a DC-10 from Minneapolis into Pensacola not to long ago using the 7,000 ft runway..
Plus UPS currently flies the A300 capable of international service..
The economic impact this airport provides to the region generates over 5,772 jobs and produces an annual direct and indirect impact of over $565 million. It’s better to support the airport then to criticize it.
Oh and Airtran is phasing out their Boeing 717s (Selling them all to Delta) – once this happens Southwest/Airtran will bring in the 737s..So please stop asking

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:26:41 +0000

Delta currently operates 22 747s, United 24, Omega Air 1, Logistic Air 1. In the rest of the world there are 340 747s in service with other carriers and organizations. I almost forgot the two parked up at Andrews AFB Maryland.

I would not feel comfortable crossing the pond with only two engines as featured on the 757. The 757 with a range of 4100 NM is really only suited for transatlantic flights as opposed to the 747 with a range of around 7500 NM, which has the clear advantage especially in flights to the Pacific theater of operations.

All of this is trivia though, as no international flights are comming out of Pensacola.
The reality is as stated by earlier posters this is just a lofty monniker to make Pensacola seem more than it is. Build the runway 10,000ft plus, and reinforce the tarmac and maybe customs and customers will come, maybe not? In the end its only junk bonds anyway.

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:58:48 +0000

@429SCJ, Few U.S. airlines even fly the 747, most use smaller planes which could easily fly in PNS…

By: Gene

Gene — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:41:52 +0000

People need to calm down about the renaming of the Pensacola Airport.
Pensacola (PNS) does have customs with advance notice.
Pensacola (PNS) is a Foreign Trade Zone/Port of Entry.
There are many airports worldwide with an international name without international service.
The remaining is part of the rebranding of the airport — to attract business, customers.
I’m sure the airport can support international flights — perhaps a few charters to Mexico..

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:28:23 +0000

Places all over use the “international” logo. Pensacola isn’t the only airport around that doesn’t have international. Why make such a big deal?

By: pmad

pmad — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:21:22 +0000

the whole international airport idea is a sham. It was renamed primarily to attract business investment. Pensacola does have some of the capabilities of international flights, but not all–for instance, we don’t have the proper customs offices and setup.

The hotel and business complex idea is separate, and was on undeveloped land on the Airport Blvd side of the road. Lease fees are acceptable, and I guess this will help various commuters and visitors with convenience.

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:26:22 +0000

At around 140,000LBS the Boeing 757 is a little bit less heavy as opposed to the 380,000LBS of the Boeing 747.

I do not feel that the Pensacola International has the facilities or demand to support international flight operations, but thats just my opinion?

By: hank

hank — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:58:39 +0000

The “Pensacola International Airport” doesnt even have any international flights

By: 32514gator

32514gator — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:28:43 +0000

JAmesD: I agree with you exactly, can someone explain why an Airport changes it name to International when their are no International Flights, perhaps it for Mayor Hayward’s new Memorial Day week long festivities friends to find.