Published: December 27, 2008 07:08 pm      

Air Azul has maiden Somerset flight

Somerset — As in airport terminals all across the country, a group of recognizable local citizens milled around Saturday morning, waiting for permission to board their flight. No long lines at baggage check or security scans required — it’s safe to say each member of this boarding party could be safely vouched for — but otherwise, just a normal day at a commercial flight-carrying airport.

In fact, it was the very first commercial flight out of Lake Cumberland Regional Airport.

“This is one small step for Air Azul,” said Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers, one of those on the maiden voyage, “and one giant leap for Somerset.”

Along with Rogers, a number of local dignitaries turned out to take a ride on “The City of Somerset” — the name of the Metro III twin-engine turboprop plane utilized by Florida-based commuter service Air Azul — to Nashville at 8 a.m.

There wasn’t much fanfare — the speeches were given back on Dec. 15, at the open house held at the new glass-enclosed terminal off Kit Cowan Road — but those in attendance were still plenty excited about the opportunity to fly the friendly skies after such a short drive.

“I wouldn’t miss it,” said Rogers. “I’ve been looking forward to this for 15 years.”

The Congressman, whose efforts securing grants were instrumental in making scheduled commercial flights out of the local airport a reality, talked about how much went into making this happen — money for widening and extending the runway, building taxi-ways, relocating the road to make room for the airport, building the terminal, getting an instrument landing system and fire protection, then bringing in the essential air service grant to the tune of $1 million annually that subsidizes the flights and helps develop the project — and then, of course, finding a carrier with interest, which turned out to be Air Azul.

“It’s been a long, hard road,” said Rogers, who noted that Lake Cumberland Regional Airport was the 436th such facility in the nation to achieve TSA (Transportation Security Administration) security clearance. “I’m so proud of this facility, and proud for our region, that people can commercially fly in and out of our region for the first time ever.”

One of those aboard the flight was David Clayton, a local man who works at Lookout Marine. The flight was an especially unique one for Clayton — he hadn’t been on an airplane since 1975.

“I preferred taking the train when I lived in Cincinnati,” said Clayton. “This is really neat. I’m really glad to see the airport here. It gives us another way to get away from here other than car.

“I figured that as a citizen, I need to support this, so I bought a ticket as soon as the reservation system went out,” he added.

Somerset Mayor Eddie Girdler found himself pondering the wonder of it all while driving down U.S. 27 to the airport that morning.

“(I thought) it’s an exciting time to be driving to the airport to catch a plane,” said Girdler, whose efforts on behalf of the city were key in bringing Air Azul to Somerset. “We plan to take some trips in the next couple months and it’s an ideal time to come to the Lake Cumberland Regional Airport — it’s so convenient.”

Likewise, Trevor Sadler, one of the founders of Air Azul noted that it was a momentous occasion, with things going smoothly on the first day.

“We’re very excited to be here today, for the first flight for the Somerset Community, and for Air Azul, our first scheduled flight together,” he said.

Clayton, Girdler, Sadler and Rogers, along with his wife Cynthia, were among the inaugural passengers filling the plane that seats nine. Others taking the flight included Judge-Executive Barty Bullock, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Keeney, and Rob Barber of R.A. Wiedemann & Associates, the aviation-based planning and marketing firm helping bring air service to Somerset a reality.

The group boarded the plane, which maneuvered onto the runway, sped up, and rose quickly into the grayish December morning sky. They flew to Nashville, where some stayed and others turned back around to fly to Somerset — the flight only took 45 minutes.

“I was impressed with how stable aircraft is,” said Barber. “It was very windy today, a lot of crosswinds, but there was very, very mild turbulence — it wasn’t noticeable like you would think on a smaller aircraft. It was really nice.

“I have been working in aviation for 24 years and have been on probably 200 or 300 different types crafts of aircraft in that time,” he added. “I’ve never ridden a Metro III, (but I was) very impressed with how smooth ride was. It was very pleasant.”

Flights can be booked by visiting www.lakecumberlandairport.com or www.airazul.com, or by calling 1-888-554-AZUL. Big advantages for the new air service in Somerset include pricing and convenience. The flights go in and out of an airport hub in Nashville, from which travelers can continue on a connection to any destination they seek.

One-way fares to Nashville will be $59; however, enter a special promotional code at the Air Azul Web site — the word “Somerset” — and you’ll get $10 off per passenger, per leg of the trip to and from the Nashville Metropolitan Airport. The promotion will likely last until next spring, if not longer.

Scheduled Air Azul flights run on Monday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday dates as of right now, and limited service will continue until next spring, when those behind this project are hoping larger awareness of the service availability will allow for an expanded schedule of flights.

“Hopefully, our community will support it and we’ll do everything possible to make this a great success,” said Girdler.