CEO urges use of Toledo Express

Toledo Business Journal, Sep 2008

Beginning this month, Delta Air Lines will discontinue all passenger service to and from Toledo Express Airport. With this loss, the airport will be left with just three passenger carriers: NorthwestAirlines (flying to Detroit), American Airlines (flying to Chicago), and Allegiant Air (flying to Sanford and St. Petersburg, Florida).

However, some local firms are maintaining their commitment to keeping their travel dollars in Toledo by flying out of the local airport, despite the decline in carrier options.

For example, SSOE, Inc., a company that has been a proponent for Toledo Express for several years, plans to continue its support of the airport.

"We do have a corporate policy that encourages people to use Toledo first where it makes sense with schedules, cost, and so forth," stated Tony Damon, SSOE CEO. "And we do have an internal travel department that helps in making travel arrangements. So, [the department's] direction is to look at Toledo first and see if that works before we [look at] other places.

"[Delta's withdrawal] makes it more challenging - fewer offerings, fewer possibilities for some of those connections. Delta was a good connection down to Cincinnati or Atlanta. . . But, still, with American (Airlines) there and Northwest (Airlines) there, it's not bad. We'll continue to [encourage staff to fly out of Toledo Express], it just makes it a little more difficult at times."

In a previous letter to all SSOE staff, Damon stressed the importance of supporting the Toledo economy and the value of Toledo Express. He instituted the following update to its air travel policy:

It is the policy of SSOE, Inc. to require all employees and sub-consultants to evaluate and consider air travel options utilizing the Toledo Express Airport, on a preferred basis, when flight costs are reasonably competitive. It is understood by SSOE management that some originations/destinations are much easier to reach and have shorter flight times via Detroit and that Toledo flight options are not always cost competitive. While we are encouraging travel through Toledo's airport, we must continue to expect that our staff will make the right choices based on overall travel costs to SSOE and our clients when making air travel arrangements. This policy applies to all travel to or from the Toledo office, by SSOE staff or sub-consultants that have an air travel component.

The letter further encouraged staff to carefully consider Toledo when making personal flight arrangements.

In April 2007, in a letter to Toledo Express Airport, Damon reaffirmed his company's commitment to the economic well being of the region and specifically the local airport. Additionally, in a recent interview with Toledo Business Journal, after Delta announced its decision to pull out of the airport, Damon continued to stress the importance of utilizing Toledo Express. "For certain locations, it [provides] convenience [in terms of] schedules and cost," he stated. "Oftentimes it's cheaper to go out of Toledo than out of Detroit to certain destinations. Then when you factor in drive-time, parking costs, and so on... We look at the whole travel picture."

Damon noted, for instance, that travel on Northwest Airlines to the SSOE office in St. Paul, Minnesota is more economical from Toledo than from Detroit. He explained that it's more expensive to fly with Northwest from Detroit to St. Paul, as both locations are hubs, than flying from Toledo to Detroit to St. Paul.

According to Damon, an opportunity exists in the region to rally business travelers to utilize Toledo Express and increase air service for our community. "I think a lot of it is awareness," he stated. "Just making people aware of what the options are. I would hope [there is an opportunity]. I would hate to see [Toledo Express] go away."