Josh Combs, the manager of business development for East Baton Rouge Parish, is actively involved in various projects for the Baton Rouge area chamber, including one that is set to open this month. He emphasizes the importance of utilizing local facilities like the Baton Rouge airport (BTR) to ensure their growth and sustainability. The airport’s ease of access and the TSA experience are highlighted as key benefits.
Recently, Combs attended the Jumpstart airline conference in Washington D.C. with Mike Edwards, the director of BTR, to pitch for more direct flights from BTR. They met with American Airlines and reported positive trends for the BTR to D.C. flight, which is operating at over 70% capacity. The goal is to reach 80% capacity to demonstrate the community’s desire for travel and support for the route.
A pledge campaign was launched to encourage the business community to support the new flight, and it has shown good results, with a steady increase in usage since the Washington Mardi Gras. Although the flight is relatively new, entering its second year, it is gaining traction. An anecdote about a local resident’s convenience in visiting her son in D.C. without driving to New Orleans illustrates the personal benefits of the flight, beyond business opportunities. The narrative concludes with a reflection on the missed chance to launch the flight in conjunction with the LSU women’s basketball team’s national championship victory and visit to the White House, which could have boosted initial interest. Nonetheless, the flight’s success is on an upward trend, benefiting both the business and local communities.