Top Tier
Dec 18, 07, 7:01 pm
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20071218-1623-bn18zoom.html
Four years after Lindbergh Field lost its only overseas service, no-frills flyer Zoom Airlines announced Tuesday that it will begin nonstop flights next summer from San Diego to London.
Airport officials wooed the Canadian-based economy-fare airline with a mix of financial incentives, beating out San Francisco and Seattle for the service.
Among other things, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority offered $200,000 in marketing incentives to promote the new overseas flights here and in London, and $100,000 in temporary landing fee and terminal space rent waivers.
Zoom, which already offers daily flights between New York and London, said it will launch its new twice-weekly San Diego-London route June 20. The airline also has routes from Canada and Bermuda to Europe and is introducing new routes between London and Fort Lauderdale and Denver next year.
Flights will depart from San Diego on Mondays and Fridays at 4:35 p.m. and arrive at Gatwick Airport in London at 11:05 a.m. the following day. They will depart from London on Mondays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and arrive in San Diego at 2:50 p.m., the airline said.
“We expect the flights will be popular on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Thella Bowens, president and chief executive officer of the Airport Authority. “The London flight will give San Diego's tourism industry access to thousands of British travelers, who tend to stay longer and spend more.”
A Zoom round-trip ticket from San Diego to London in late June will cost either $498 or $898, depending on whether passengers book economy or “premium” economy seats, which offer perks such as additional leg room and meal and drink benefits.
Four years after Lindbergh Field lost its only overseas service, no-frills flyer Zoom Airlines announced Tuesday that it will begin nonstop flights next summer from San Diego to London.
Airport officials wooed the Canadian-based economy-fare airline with a mix of financial incentives, beating out San Francisco and Seattle for the service.
Among other things, the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority offered $200,000 in marketing incentives to promote the new overseas flights here and in London, and $100,000 in temporary landing fee and terminal space rent waivers.
Zoom, which already offers daily flights between New York and London, said it will launch its new twice-weekly San Diego-London route June 20. The airline also has routes from Canada and Bermuda to Europe and is introducing new routes between London and Fort Lauderdale and Denver next year.
Flights will depart from San Diego on Mondays and Fridays at 4:35 p.m. and arrive at Gatwick Airport in London at 11:05 a.m. the following day. They will depart from London on Mondays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and arrive in San Diego at 2:50 p.m., the airline said.
“We expect the flights will be popular on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Thella Bowens, president and chief executive officer of the Airport Authority. “The London flight will give San Diego's tourism industry access to thousands of British travelers, who tend to stay longer and spend more.”
A Zoom round-trip ticket from San Diego to London in late June will cost either $498 or $898, depending on whether passengers book economy or “premium” economy seats, which offer perks such as additional leg room and meal and drink benefits.