Naples charter flight operator adds Orlando, Punta Gorda to its scheduled service menu

Scheduled commercial flights aren't only the domain of major airlines.

A charter flight company in Naples is throttling-up its business activity by adding Punta Gorda and Orlando to its own growing menu for scheduled service.

Exec Air Inc. founder John Swasey thinks it’s time to tap into a market that’s under-served: Southwest Floridians who crave quick, hassle-free transportation to these cities, but who blanch at the much-higher costs of flying by charter.

There’s also potential business to be gained, he said, ferrying people to Punta Gorda Airport where they can connect with low-fare Allegiant Air flights to 40 cities.

Swasey recently announced his plans for daily scheduled service between the Naples (APF), Punta Gorda (PGD) and Orlando (MCO) airports.

Why no Exec Air scheduled service from Fort Myers?

Swasey doesn't believe it's economically feasible for him to operate at Southwest Florida International.

When asked for comment, Lee County Port Authority spokeswoman Victoria Moreland said, "We have a healthy and robust incentives program for new air service." 

More: Guns, machetes and turkey lifters: TSA's finds at RSW in 2017

Swasey noted that Punta Gorda Airport is easily reachable from central to northern Lee County. Parking is inexpensive and plentiful at that airport, which is less than two miles off Interstate 75.

Meanwhile, people in Estero, Bonita Springs and parts south might opt for the service out of Naples Municipal, which has free auto parking.

Exec Air’s Naples-to-Punta Gorda one-way fares start at $125 per person, raising the question of whether Naples folks would really opt to fly rather than to drive. It’s a trip that’s a bit over an hour by car, and a half-hour by air.

To be sure, flying isn’t cheaper. But for some people, the convenience and time savings are worth the fare, Swasey said.

Besides the convenience, Swasey said he offers a “more personalized flight than the busloads” on the big airliners.

Charter flights offer passengers more flexibility, but are vastly more costly, Swasey said.

For example, to charter a three-passenger plane for a flight from Naples to Orlando would cost $850 one way or $1,700 round trip. That’s the fare regardless of whether all seats are occupied.

That same Naples-to-Orlando flight would cost $600 round-trip, per person, under Exec Air’s scheduled service. And, as long as at least one person has booked by a minimum of four hours in advance, the flight will run, Swasey said.

Although he’s operated charters for more than 20 years, this is not Swasey’s first venture in scheduled commercial service.

For going on six years, Exec Air has flown four scheduled weekly flights between Naples Municipal Airport and Miami International.

Last year, Swasey added scheduled flights to Marathon and Key West.

Demand for the Miami service “has run hot and cold,” Swasey said, adding:

“Miami is kind of a loss leader for us. We want to support our hoteliers in Collier County, who really wanted service to Miami International.”

In return, Swasey counts on Collier hoteliers to help promote his service to Key West and Marathon.

“Key West is our bread-and-butter scheduled service. We’ve offered flights there on a charter basis since 1997.”

Dr. Gary Lawson is an anesthesiologist who lives in Naples, but has offices as far north as Sarasota and as far south as Key West.

Lawson and colleagues use Exec Air to fly to work in Key West.

Because the flight operates out of the private fixed-base operator facility at the Key West airport, "you don't have to go through security or be there two hours early," Lawson said.

He's also used the scheduled flight to Miami.

"Traveling (by car) from here to Miami, the traffic is atrocious. And the parking?

"But if you can land directly at the airport? Wonderful."

Exec Air is growing, but within certain limits.

Under the FAA regulations under which it operates, it can carry no more than nine passengers on a flight.

Currently, its fleet consists of three piston-engine-driven Cessnas, the biggest of which accommodates six passengers.

The company has four pilots on its roster, with three more in the pipeline.

It would be easier to offer only charter service, Swasey said. However, he’s long wanted to prove that flying locally isn’t only for the elite and affluent.

By making flying more accessible to tourists and local business people, Swasey figures he’s supporting his community.

Airline industry developments nationally have encouraged ventures like that of Exec Air, said Bijan Vasigh, professor of economics and finance at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Since 2005, “we’ve seen significant consolidation in the airline industry,” Vasigh said.

With fewer major airlines to compete with each other, service to many smaller cities declined.

“That,” Vasigh said, “has created a niche for smaller carriers to fill.”

Connect with this reporter on Twitter @Alvascribe and @LauraPatrickRuane on Facebook.

At a glance

What: Exec Air Inc.

Who: John Swasey, president/operations director

What: Charter flights to nearly any destination – and scheduled service to Miami, Key West, Marathon, Orlando and Punta Gorda

Address: 572 Terminal Drive, Naples, Florida 34104

Phone: 239-290-5668; Toll-free, 866-669-2359

Online: naplesairline.com