If Hampton Roads wants direct flights across the pond, the region needs to show how much, two business leaders told Norfolk City Council members Tuesday afternoon.
Jared Chalke with the Hampton Roads Alliance and Nancy Grden with the Executive Roundtable presented the idea of a Transatlantic Air Service Regional Fund during the meeting.
“The fund, if even needed, would provide short-term risk reduction to help a carrier launch new transatlantic service, which is the standard approach for markets seeking new transatlantic flights,” Grden said in an email.
The fund would signal community buy-in and support, she said.
The pair pointed to the region’s economic growth and anticipated future growth.
“If you look at the U.S. in general, we are re-militarizing, we're re-shoring, and we're re-industrializing and providing for energy security in a much different way than we have in the past,” Chalke said during Norfolk’s city council meeting. “And all of those things really align with Hampton Roads.”
Economic growth will contribute to Norfolk International Airport’s steady growth, and vice versa, he said. The airport has seen a record number of passengers this year and added more nonstop flights, including one to the Caribbean.
The region should use this momentum to compete for transatlantic service, Grden said.
The fund is still in the early stages, she said. If council votes to establish it, it is still being determined if private donors, localities or a combination of all those would chip in.
