SeaPort Airlines has a long reputation of departing early if all passengers are accounted for and ready to go, but when a group of local officials booked the 7:30 a.m. flight and left three hours early this morning, they may have set a new record.

The flight was booked weeks ago and completely filled with Salina representatives whose final destination is Washington, D.C.

“Salina community leaders will meet with our congressional delegation and share with them those federal policy issues and initiatives most important to Salina’s future,” explained City Manager Jason Gage.  “It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the federal legislative process and to build important relationships which have a long-lasting, positive impact on our community.”

A week before the flight, SeaPort officials checked the passenger list and let the group know if they wanted to leave earlier it wouldn’t be a problem.

“Had we had additional passengers on the 7:30 flight we’d have had to figure something else out,” explain SeaPort Operations Manager Cullen Krause.  “One of the benefits of SeaPort is that we have the ability to be flexible and work with the community on short notice to accommodate Salina’s air travel needs.”

SeaPort Airlines’ convenience and flexibility not only saved the group money, but allotted them an extra day in Washington instead of travel.

Flying on SeaPort to Kansas City and then hopping a flight with a different airline to Washington, the group saved themselves a three-hour car ride in each direction, parking fees and a whole lot of headaches.

SeaPort added a plane to the regular flight schedule to accommodate the group as well as other passengers for their return to Salina.

“We are fortunate to have SeaPort as our travel option,” said Gage.  “Their aircraft is comfortable and their convenient arrival and departure schedules are not only affordable, but match up well with the frequent flyer’s travel needs.  SeaPort is truly an asset for Salina.”