Panama City Beach — Southwest Airlines unveiled Florida One in Tampa on Friday, its newest themed aircraft that is emblazoned with the state flag of Florida. The video link is at the bottom of the article. Thanks to the News Herald for the article!
“We are very excited about our newest aircraft,” Southwest spokeswoman Brandi King said. “We have been planning to honor Florida for some time.”
The new Boeing 737 will join the airline’s regular rotation schedule throughout the country at the 68 — soon to be 69 — cities Southwest serves, King said.
Panama City Beach will become the 69th city when Southwest makes its first flight into the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, scheduled for its grand opening May 23.
The low-cost carrier already serves six cities in Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers and Jacksonville.
“Florida is proud to have such a strong Southwest Airlines presence in Florida,” Gov. Charlie Crist said in a news release. “Not only is Southwest employing thousands of talented Floridians, but is also making Florida more easily accessible and affordable for visitors.”
According to material provided by Southwest, the painting of Florida One required 32 people working three shifts over eight days. More than 46 gallons of paint and 16 different colors were used.
The Florida plane joins 13 other themed aircraft in Southwest’s fleet, including California One, Lone Star One (Texas) and three Shamu aircraft (SeaWorld).
The new airport is less than 12 miles from our condos for rent in Panama City Beach at Celadon Beach Resort Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Here is the link to the Southwest video… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKnsyYbfC60&feature=player_embedded
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Panama City Beach - Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP) is on schedule for May 23, 2010 opening. Fly SWA and save $150 on a 6 night stay!
Panama City Beach - ECP is only 11.5 miles from our condos for rent in Panama City Beach, FL Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation at Celadon Beach Resort. Both condos are available on May 23 for 6 nights.
To save $150 all you need is a copy of your May 23, 2010 opening day Southwest Airlines itinerary to ECP. Call and book your reservation today… 615-496-4369.
To save $150 all you need is a copy of your May 23, 2010 opening day Southwest Airlines itinerary to ECP. Call and book your reservation today… 615-496-4369.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Panama City Beach - Tannehill renews pitch for crosswind runway at new airport
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Airport Authority board Chairman Joe Tannehill is usually unflappable, presiding calmly at board meetings that can sometimes grow contentious over issues such as budgets, industrial development or sod. On Tuesday, he took the unusual step of moving out from behind the board member’s dais to renew his strong support for building a crosswind runway at the new airport under construction near West Bay.
“We need to do everything we have committed and promised,” he said from the audience podium, noting that the board will go through changes in the coming months. Both his term and the term of Vice Chairman Bill Cramer expire in June.
The new airport is less than 12 miles from oru Panama City Beach Condos Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Over the last year, financial plans for the 5,000-foot crosswind runway have faltered as board members struggled with issues such as extending the main concrete runway to 10,000 feet, hiring a company to market the airport to industry and funding more than $3 million in expensive sod to halt storm water erosion problems.
Board Vice Chairman Bill Cramer, for instance, argued successfully last May that hiring “master developer” Jones Lang Lesalle to manage the industrial and commercial development of hundreds of acres surrounding the airport’s main runway should have a higher priority than the crosswind runway.
Cramer also has argued that other uncertainties, such as the fight with Phoenix Construction over the need for sod, has placed the funding for a crosswind runway in doubt.
Admitting he was taking the board by surprise, Tannehill said he would ask other members in two weeks to advertise for bids on the secondary runway, expected to cost about $18 million.
“If we can construct the crosswind runway without going out for more debt, we should do it,” Tannehill read from a prepared statement. “We have committed the crosswind runway to our GA (general aviation) friends, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation).”
Tannehill made a case that the airport had a total of $321 million to spend for the construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, including two loans totaling $40 million from Florida’s State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loans program, $15 million of which was untapped so far. He said the airport has been “running a budget of $306 million, of which we presently have $3.6 million left in contingency and free cash.” The airport also intends to recoup $3.2 million in sod payments from either contractors or project engineers in future legal battles.
“Our legal teams have concluded that these funds are not the responsibility of the Airport Authority,” Tannehill said. Following the meeting, Cramer said he still had doubts about the timing for issuing bids. “If we can do so responsibly, I’m all for it, if we can afford it,” he said. But he insisted that uncertainties still existed over other needs, such as $1.25 million for an international concourse, or hall.
“We also have an uncertainty over how much more sod we will need,” Cramer said, noting that he did not wish to encumber future board members with current problems. “The bottom line is: Can we afford it?”
In other business, board members approved several additions to a tentative policy on commercial ground transportation, including penalties for rule infractions, such as a one-week permit suspension for reckless driving, and a non-smoking rule. The board also agreed to review several provisions, such as banning outside advertisements on vehicles and requiring that all vehicles within a company be the same color.
Board members also approved a proposal by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to erect a 7-by-4-foot granite monument, or “Wall of Honor,” complete with benches and flags, near the airport’s entrance that would recognize the major sponsors of the airport’s three-day quarter-million dollar grand-opening ceremony, set for the weekend of May 23. Board members modestly declined to have their names chiseled into the structure.
“We need to do everything we have committed and promised,” he said from the audience podium, noting that the board will go through changes in the coming months. Both his term and the term of Vice Chairman Bill Cramer expire in June.
The new airport is less than 12 miles from oru Panama City Beach Condos Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
Over the last year, financial plans for the 5,000-foot crosswind runway have faltered as board members struggled with issues such as extending the main concrete runway to 10,000 feet, hiring a company to market the airport to industry and funding more than $3 million in expensive sod to halt storm water erosion problems.
Board Vice Chairman Bill Cramer, for instance, argued successfully last May that hiring “master developer” Jones Lang Lesalle to manage the industrial and commercial development of hundreds of acres surrounding the airport’s main runway should have a higher priority than the crosswind runway.
Cramer also has argued that other uncertainties, such as the fight with Phoenix Construction over the need for sod, has placed the funding for a crosswind runway in doubt.
Admitting he was taking the board by surprise, Tannehill said he would ask other members in two weeks to advertise for bids on the secondary runway, expected to cost about $18 million.
“If we can construct the crosswind runway without going out for more debt, we should do it,” Tannehill read from a prepared statement. “We have committed the crosswind runway to our GA (general aviation) friends, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and the FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation).”
Tannehill made a case that the airport had a total of $321 million to spend for the construction of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, including two loans totaling $40 million from Florida’s State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loans program, $15 million of which was untapped so far. He said the airport has been “running a budget of $306 million, of which we presently have $3.6 million left in contingency and free cash.” The airport also intends to recoup $3.2 million in sod payments from either contractors or project engineers in future legal battles.
“Our legal teams have concluded that these funds are not the responsibility of the Airport Authority,” Tannehill said. Following the meeting, Cramer said he still had doubts about the timing for issuing bids. “If we can do so responsibly, I’m all for it, if we can afford it,” he said. But he insisted that uncertainties still existed over other needs, such as $1.25 million for an international concourse, or hall.
“We also have an uncertainty over how much more sod we will need,” Cramer said, noting that he did not wish to encumber future board members with current problems. “The bottom line is: Can we afford it?”
In other business, board members approved several additions to a tentative policy on commercial ground transportation, including penalties for rule infractions, such as a one-week permit suspension for reckless driving, and a non-smoking rule. The board also agreed to review several provisions, such as banning outside advertisements on vehicles and requiring that all vehicles within a company be the same color.
Board members also approved a proposal by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce to erect a 7-by-4-foot granite monument, or “Wall of Honor,” complete with benches and flags, near the airport’s entrance that would recognize the major sponsors of the airport’s three-day quarter-million dollar grand-opening ceremony, set for the weekend of May 23. Board members modestly declined to have their names chiseled into the structure.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Panama City Beach - Southwest Airlines Competition Reducing Airfares
Panama City Beach – Are you thinking about flying to Panama City Beach for a relaxing vacation? The new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opens May 23, 2010 (ECP). There is already good news for guests that want to fly to Panama City Beach. Reduced airfares and our affordable Panama City Beach condos for rent at Celadon Beach Resort less than 12 miles from ECP Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
In a letter to The News Herald that was published Feb. 25 (“New airport has yet to land lower airfares”, Mr. Bruce Kennedy complained that the new airport has not resulted in lower airfares.
To make his case he compared the purchase of two Southwest Airlines’ tickets to San Antonio departing on June 1 and returning on June 6. The total price for the two round-trip tickets was $587.60, or $293.80 per person.
He compared this with Delta Air Lines fares for the same dates and found their fares to be $3 lower. His conclusion is that nothing has changed and Panama City fares remain high even with the new Southwest service.
That is incorrect.
The U.S. Department of Transportation collects data on actual air fares sold, with the latest information available being the 12-month period ending in September 2009. Based on that information, the average round-trip airfare sold from Panama City to San Antonio during that 12-month period was $694 per person. That cost does not include taxes and other fees that were included in Mr. Kennedy’s fare quote. Therefore the comparison is $1,388 (plus taxes and fees) for two tickets in 2009 versus $587 (including taxes and fees) with the new Southwest fares.
The fact that Delta is matching the Southwest fares is evidence that the competition provided by Southwest is generating significantly lower air fares.
Mr. Kennedy was also critical of Southwest’s level of customer service referring to seat assignments and beverage services. In response I would note that Southwest has routinely been ranked by various consumer and industry organizations as No. 1 in the airline industry in customer service. Kennedy also left out the part where Delta charges bags to fly if you have to check your bag.
The new airport is about many things that will provide economic benefits to our community, in addition to better airfares.
RANDY CURTIS
Executive Director
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
In a letter to The News Herald that was published Feb. 25 (“New airport has yet to land lower airfares”, Mr. Bruce Kennedy complained that the new airport has not resulted in lower airfares.
To make his case he compared the purchase of two Southwest Airlines’ tickets to San Antonio departing on June 1 and returning on June 6. The total price for the two round-trip tickets was $587.60, or $293.80 per person.
He compared this with Delta Air Lines fares for the same dates and found their fares to be $3 lower. His conclusion is that nothing has changed and Panama City fares remain high even with the new Southwest service.
That is incorrect.
The U.S. Department of Transportation collects data on actual air fares sold, with the latest information available being the 12-month period ending in September 2009. Based on that information, the average round-trip airfare sold from Panama City to San Antonio during that 12-month period was $694 per person. That cost does not include taxes and other fees that were included in Mr. Kennedy’s fare quote. Therefore the comparison is $1,388 (plus taxes and fees) for two tickets in 2009 versus $587 (including taxes and fees) with the new Southwest fares.
The fact that Delta is matching the Southwest fares is evidence that the competition provided by Southwest is generating significantly lower air fares.
Mr. Kennedy was also critical of Southwest’s level of customer service referring to seat assignments and beverage services. In response I would note that Southwest has routinely been ranked by various consumer and industry organizations as No. 1 in the airline industry in customer service. Kennedy also left out the part where Delta charges bags to fly if you have to check your bag.
The new airport is about many things that will provide economic benefits to our community, in addition to better airfares.
RANDY CURTIS
Executive Director
Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport
Monday, February 8, 2010
Panama City Beach - Mardi Gras on the Beach and Downtown St. Andrews February 10-13, 2010
Panama City Beach - Something for everyone! 2010 Mardi Gras festival in St. Andrews!.
FEB. 10-13th. Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Contest (Ages 5-10, Applications due Jan. 29th), Mardi Gras Costume Contest (18+), Gumbo and Cajun Cook-offs, Jazz Funeral March & Royal Court Appearances....read more below!
February 10th. Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ Hunt's Oyster Bar
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Gumbo Cook-off begins @ Pappy's - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature gumbo dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from Pappy's to Uncle Ernie's Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Little Miss and Mr. Mardi Gras Contest for children ages 5-10 years old; Download a Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Application Form to enter. Prizes awarded and winners get to ride in Kid's Parade.
7:15PM Charity Gumbo tasting and voting begins @ Pappy's Restaurant.
February 11th ~ Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ The Capt's Table Restaurant
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Cajun Cook-off begins @ the Granite Cafe - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature cajun dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from the Granite Cafe to the Shrimp Boat Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Mardi Gras Costume Contest for adults 18+. Come dressed in your Mardi Gras costumes or attire (purple, green & gold) and participate to win your spot on a Mardi Gras parade float complete with your own beads to throw!
7:15PM Charity Cajun Cook-off tasting and voting begins @ Granite Cafe.
February 12th ~ Kid’s Parade & Mardi Gras Pet Parade; 4:00PM
Kids Parade will be down Beck Avenue from 15th Street to 11th Street, kids throwing to other kids along the route (beads, stuffed animals, toys and more). Adults are asked to stand back and let the younger ones have their chance at some Mardi Gras style fun.
February 13th ~ St. Andrew's Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk; 8:00AM
Mardi Gras 5K Run and 1 Mile Family Fun Run starting at Oaks by the Bay Park at 10th Street and Beck Avenue in St. Andrews. $15 early registration for 5K; $10 early registration for 1 Mile. Contact Joe at 763-5005 or 774-0018 or Marty at 265-8439. Information online at Draggin' Tail Runner.
February 13th ~ Mardi Gras 13th Annual Grande Parade; 1:00PM
There will be over 14 Krewes with more than 20 brightly colored floats Starting at Oakland Terrace Park, down 11th to Beck and Beck to 15th. There will be beads, doubloons, and other unique treasures to catch. This is the Grand Finale parade for Bay County's Mardi Gras Season. www.standrewsmardigras.com/mardigras.html
Let the good times roll!
FEB. 10-13th. Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Contest (Ages 5-10, Applications due Jan. 29th), Mardi Gras Costume Contest (18+), Gumbo and Cajun Cook-offs, Jazz Funeral March & Royal Court Appearances....read more below!
February 10th. Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ Hunt's Oyster Bar
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Gumbo Cook-off begins @ Pappy's - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature gumbo dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from Pappy's to Uncle Ernie's Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Little Miss and Mr. Mardi Gras Contest for children ages 5-10 years old; Download a Little Miss & Mr. Mardi Gras Application Form to enter. Prizes awarded and winners get to ride in Kid's Parade.
7:15PM Charity Gumbo tasting and voting begins @ Pappy's Restaurant.
February 11th ~ Mardi Gras Festivities in St. Andrews
5 - 7 PM Panama City Publishing Co. open to display the History of Mardi Gras in St. Andrews complete with pictures, video, memorabilia and costumes.
5:00PM Royal Court Appearance @ The Capt's Table Restaurant
5:30PM Royal Court Appearance & Charity Cajun Cook-off begins @ the Granite Cafe - come and watch teams compete as they create their signature cajun dishes.
6:00PM New Orleans Dirge (Jazz Funeral March) from the Granite Cafe to the Shrimp Boat Restaurant - the public is invited to join in the fun!
6:30PM The Krewe of St. Andrews is proud to announce its 1st Mardi Gras Costume Contest for adults 18+. Come dressed in your Mardi Gras costumes or attire (purple, green & gold) and participate to win your spot on a Mardi Gras parade float complete with your own beads to throw!
7:15PM Charity Cajun Cook-off tasting and voting begins @ Granite Cafe.
February 12th ~ Kid’s Parade & Mardi Gras Pet Parade; 4:00PM
Kids Parade will be down Beck Avenue from 15th Street to 11th Street, kids throwing to other kids along the route (beads, stuffed animals, toys and more). Adults are asked to stand back and let the younger ones have their chance at some Mardi Gras style fun.
February 13th ~ St. Andrew's Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk; 8:00AM
Mardi Gras 5K Run and 1 Mile Family Fun Run starting at Oaks by the Bay Park at 10th Street and Beck Avenue in St. Andrews. $15 early registration for 5K; $10 early registration for 1 Mile. Contact Joe at 763-5005 or 774-0018 or Marty at 265-8439. Information online at Draggin' Tail Runner.
February 13th ~ Mardi Gras 13th Annual Grande Parade; 1:00PM
There will be over 14 Krewes with more than 20 brightly colored floats Starting at Oakland Terrace Park, down 11th to Beck and Beck to 15th. There will be beads, doubloons, and other unique treasures to catch. This is the Grand Finale parade for Bay County's Mardi Gras Season. www.standrewsmardigras.com/mardigras.html
Let the good times roll!
Panama City Beach - 23rd Annual Bay County Job Fair February 12, 2010
Panama City Beach - On Friday, February 12th 2010 the 23rd Annual Bay County Job Fair will be held at Haney Technical Center from 9am – 1pm. Interested employers can obtain registration information on www.baycountyjobfair.com or contact Jennifer Hall at halljr@bay.k12.fl.us. Employers have the opportunity to participate to fill current and future job openings. There will be a wide variety of employers at the Job Fair looking to fill positions from entry-level to professional. Sponsored by: Haney Technical Center, Naval Support Activity-Panama City, Tyndall Air Force Base and the Workforce Center, a service of Gulf Coast Community College. Community Partners: Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Knology and Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce
When: Friday, February 12, 2010 - 9am – 1pm
Where: Haney Technical Center, 3016 Hwy 77 in Panama City, Florida
Download the Registration Form here: http://www.pcbeach.org/uploads/pressroom/181/file/JobFairApplication.pdf
When: Friday, February 12, 2010 - 9am – 1pm
Where: Haney Technical Center, 3016 Hwy 77 in Panama City, Florida
Download the Registration Form here: http://www.pcbeach.org/uploads/pressroom/181/file/JobFairApplication.pdf
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Panama City Beach – Celebrate Mardi Gras at Pier Park February 5-6 2010 with the Krewe of Dominique Youx
Panama City Beach - Feb. 5 – 6, 2010 - Panama City Beach will experience the excitement, glamour and pageantry of the age-old tradition of Mardi Gras as the Krewe of Dominique Youx hosts the 2nd Annual Panama City Beach Mardi Gras Festival and Parade.
The spirited season of carnival is alive and revered as the renowned festivities of Bourbon Street come to Panama City Beach’s Pier Park for two days of fabulous floats, masked performers, colorful costumes and a signature parade and street party.
The FUN begins at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 as the streets of Pier Park are closed to vehicular traffic. Mardi Gras revelers at this gulf coast destination will enjoy a festive street party including live bands and entertainment, Cajun fare, float tours along with beads and doubloons aplenty. The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, Magic Broadcasting’s Island 106 radio personality, “That Guy Kramer”, will be broadcasting live starting at 10:00 a.m. as festivities kick-off with a children’s parade. Following the children’s parade, the Mardi Gras parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. as majestic floats make their way along Front Beach Road and roll through Pier Park. The street party celebration continues after the parade with live entertainment, regal costumes, masks, beads, trinkets, Cajun and low-country cuisine, and much more!
For additional event information, go to www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or www.dominiqueyoux.com.
Are you interested in participating in the parade by entering a float? For registration details and “Parade Entry Application” email the Krewe of Dominique Youx at information@dominiqueyoux.com or pleili@aol.com
Sorry but our Panama City Beach vacation rental condos are booked Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
The spirited season of carnival is alive and revered as the renowned festivities of Bourbon Street come to Panama City Beach’s Pier Park for two days of fabulous floats, masked performers, colorful costumes and a signature parade and street party.
The FUN begins at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5 as the streets of Pier Park are closed to vehicular traffic. Mardi Gras revelers at this gulf coast destination will enjoy a festive street party including live bands and entertainment, Cajun fare, float tours along with beads and doubloons aplenty. The evening culminates with a spectacular fireworks display over the Gulf of Mexico.
On Saturday, Feb. 6, Magic Broadcasting’s Island 106 radio personality, “That Guy Kramer”, will be broadcasting live starting at 10:00 a.m. as festivities kick-off with a children’s parade. Following the children’s parade, the Mardi Gras parade will begin at 2:00 p.m. as majestic floats make their way along Front Beach Road and roll through Pier Park. The street party celebration continues after the parade with live entertainment, regal costumes, masks, beads, trinkets, Cajun and low-country cuisine, and much more!
For additional event information, go to www.visitpanamacitybeach.com or www.dominiqueyoux.com.
Are you interested in participating in the parade by entering a float? For registration details and “Parade Entry Application” email the Krewe of Dominique Youx at information@dominiqueyoux.com or pleili@aol.com
Sorry but our Panama City Beach vacation rental condos are booked Reserve The Best Panama City Beach Condos for Your Beach Vacation
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