Fly in luxury from Manassas aboard air taxi

With delays mounting at traditional and crowded airports, unreliable airlines and highways becoming more con-gested, a new firm is operating at Manassas Regional Airport to provide a stress free way to fly above these constraints.

Skyway Air Taxi, the first next-generation air taxi company owned and operated in Virginia, has launched an inno-vative and time-saving way to travel that gives a passenger a direct flight to the destination, allowing valuable hours to their day.

From the passenger's home or office to their final destination, the start-up firm is providing a fast, economical alternative for trips of 400 miles or less.

"We specialize in same day travel and exceptional customer service. Our customers love the convenience of arriving fresh at their destination with productive hours left in their day. Many will travel to their destination and back within normal work hours and are home for dinner," said Carol S. Scott, president and CEO.

She added, "Skyway can use thousands of airports not serviced by the airlines to take our customers directly to their final destination. With our guaranteed pricing and on demand service, customers can travel smarter and more often, as our service a difference in their day."

Skyway began its service at the airport in April.

"We chose Manassas as a base of operations due to its first-rate passenger facilities and easy access to the Northern Virginia area," said Gene Couvillion, Skyway's director of operations. "However, we also operate in and out of numerous airports in and around the Washington, D. C., region for the convenience of our customers."

Skyway is the first company in the state to offer the light and technologically advanced airplane, Cirrus SR-22, in an on-demand air taxi business model. Billed as the best in its class, the airplane has many safety features, leather seats, air conditioning and room for up to three passengers.

Designed with a luxury car in mind, it has a comfortable interior and allows the passengers to listen to their iPod or XM radio and enjoy the view and not worrying about making a connecting flight.

Rates range from $475 to $595 per hour, depending on how often the passenger flies with the firm.

"Flying Skyway is an obvious choice for business and vacation travelers that value their time," said Scott.

Popular destinations include Atlantic City, New York City, Roanoke/Blacksburg, Norfolk, Greensboro, Raleigh and Columbus, Ohio. There are hundreds of destinations in the service area, which includes the Northeast to Georgia and as far west as Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. In about one to two hours, a passenger can reach many of these destinations quickly and on a person-alized schedule, much faster than traditional alternatives.

A recent passenger, Christian Hunt, CEO, Care Rehab, said, "Skyway Air Taxi offers the freedom to fly on my own schedule without the hassle of a major airport so I can quickly fly direct to my destination. Whether it is a day trip for business or a relaxing trip to the beach. I can always count on their service and professional-ism."

The company offers the best pricing for the same day return trips but is always willing to come back another day.

With an experienced commercial pilot waiting for a passenger's arrival, he/she can just "roll up and go" at the Manassas airport of such nearby ones as Stafford Regional Airport or Leesburg Executive Air-port.

"Once you fly with us you will say, 'Why didn't I do this sooner?' " said Scott.

Information on the company can be found on-line at http://www.skywayairtaxi.com or by calling 800-311-0136. Local passengers can be picked up at the terminal building at the airport.

"Skyway offers the easiest and most effective solution to travel to Blacksburg to my regional office and big game weekends. As an alumnus, I can use my time to enjoy the game and be with friends instead of spending eight hours round trip in my car. I highly recommend Skyway to those who put a premium on their time," said H.D. Campbell, CEO, Campbell & Paris Engineers.

The firm hopes to expand from its brand new single plane now—and another on order—to a larger fleet of 30 in the future.

Staff writer Bennie Scarton Jr. can be reached at 703-369-6707.