Silver Airways inaugurates first GSP flight

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Silver Airways, the sixth airline to join Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport’s ranks, heralded its first nonstop flight from GSP to Orlando Thursday with a press conference with Silver Airways executives and a water cannon salute on the runway.

Today, the airline launches flights to Jacksonville, Fla., with flights to Tampa, Fla. beginning Saturday.

“We are delighted to connect the vibrant and growing Upstate region of South Carolina with the relaxing beaches, world-class golf courses, and exciting nightlife of our Florida cities,” Steve Rossum, CEO for Silver Airways, said in a news release.

Silver Airways will provide the only nonstop service to Orlando International Airport and Tampa International and will be the first airline to offer nonstop service to Jacksonville International Airport from GSP, according to the release. In addition, Silver Airways will provide same-plane direct service through Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale,  providing additional options to reach south Florida.

 “We are pleased to welcome a new low-cost airline and service to these popular destinations, including our first nonstop service to Jacksonville,” Dave Edwards, GSP’s president and CEO, said in the release. “This is another great opportunity for people traveling to and from the Upstate, and it’s only possible because of the community’s support.”

GSP was recently recognized by customers and the Airports Council International as the Best Airport in North America of its size.

Service to Orlando and Tampa will operate twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays and flights to Jacksonville will operate on Mondays and Fridays. Members of United’s MileagePlus and JetBlue’s loyalty programs will earn frequent flyer awards for travel throughout Silver’s network. Flights will operate on 46 and 70-seat ATR aircraft, according to the news release.