Not Everyone Thrilled With Deal Gov. Easley Made To Bring Skybus To Triad

The discount airline Skybus is planning to build its new hub in Greensboro at Piedmont Triad International Airport. Skybus is known for its inexpensive airfare, which will entice students on a budget who may be looking for a cheap way to fly home or visit friends and family.

"I think it's a great idea," said Javon Carter, mathematics major. Carter said she was happy to hear about Skybus coming to Greensboro. "I'm going home [New Jersey] for Thanksgiving and I have to drive 100 miles [to Raleigh airport]."

Ashley Ray, a molecular biology major, agrees that the new hub is a good idea. "I feel it creates another outlet to purchase inexpensive tickets," she said.

The Piedmont Triad Airport Authority approved an incentives package of $52 million, but estimates by the Greensboro News & Record say that number could be closer to $57 million. The construction of the new hub is set to begin in January.

Greensboro was selected over Richmond, Va., which put forth a package estimated at $50 million, according to Winston-Salem economic officials, who were quoted in the Winston-Salem Journal.

The city of Greensboro, private investors and PTI fought for the new Skybus hub. Skybus will create 400 new jobs, offer cheaper flights (some as low as $10 one-way) with seven new destinations. Increased airport traffic will result, and with as many as 1 million new passengers.

Skybus can transform the economy of an area and present new business opportunities and other amenities.

Not everyone is enthusiastic about the Skybus deal. Former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert Orr had this to say in a recent news release:

"Customers will either be excited about the service Skybus provides or they won't. It is not up to the State of North Carolina to interfere. Again, this incentive represents our continued flawed approach to economic development. Instead of wasting state funds to subsidize everyday business decisions, we need to focus our investments on improving business conditions and encouraging growth statewide for the betterment of all North Carolina citizens."

Mr. Orr's comments responded to Gov. Mike Easley announcing the state would be subsidizing Skybus Airlines to increase its presence at Piedmont Triad International Airport.