Airfares
The airport has a reputation for high domestic fares, and they are usually attributed to the lack of a true low-cost carrier (LCC) serving the airport, such as JetBlue or Southwest. LCC AirTran Airways served the airport for a time, but Delta and other airlines matched fares on the routes served by AirTran and passengers continued to fly the traditional network carriers. Ultimately, AirTran moved out and fares increased once again. AirTran later entered the Pensacola market, and fares dropped significantly from Pensacola International Airport. Because of this, many people drive about an hour in either direction to Pensacola, Florida or Gulfport, Mississippi. However, fares from Pensacola are lower primarily on routes served by AirTran. On other routes, including international services, Mobile and Pensacola offer similar fares. In order to attract and maintain frequent flyers, Mobile Regional Airport was the first to offer an Airport Frequent Flyer Program, called Passport. Passport was launched with a media blitz and new slogan: "Fly Smarter, Fly Mobile."
The Mobile Airport Authority encourages passengers to use multiple airlines to stimulate more competition and lower fares, and it continues to work to attract a low-cost carrier. The Authority also believes that both Mobile and Pensacola would be better served if a single airport was built to serve both cities in Baldwin County, Alabama -- midway between both cities. However, the Authority claims that Pensacola officials do not want their airport in Alabama and have withdrawn from exploratory discussions.,
Read more about this topic: Mobile Regional Airport