Cape Air Buys Simmons Air

Cape Aire buys airline that was flying between Ocean City and Baltimore.

Simmons Air confirms Cape Air partnershipBy Jaime Malarkey Daily Times Staff Writer

OCEAN CITY -- After struggling to stay afloat in its first four months of operation, Simmons Air officially confirmed Thursday a partnership with Cape Air, one of the largest independent regional airlines in the country.

Simmons Air, which debuted in September, is suspending all flights between Baltimore and Ocean City until Feb. 14, officials said, when scheduled flights will start tentatively at 7 a.m. daily. Hyannis Air Services Inc., a division of Cape Air, will be providing pilots and planes.
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All tickets will be $99 each flight, significantly higher than the $35-one-way fare company president Wayne Simmons began the business with. The fare increase was blamed on rising fuel prices and enables the company to provide year-round service, officials said.

"It is amazing what can be accomplished with hard work and the right formula," Simmons said in a statement. "We are extremely excited and honored to be paired with a company reputation in the airline industry that is second to none."

Simmons suggested in his statement the joint venture could allow Simmons Air to expand to other cities in the future. Simmons slowed and eventually halted flights in November after severing ties with his former pilot provider, Hinson Corporate Flight Services, citing a breach of contract. He said he paid out of pocket for chartered flights, hotel stays and van rides for stranded passengers.

Cape Air specializes in niche resort towns with year-round attractions, including Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and the Micronesian Islands, said company spokeswoman Michelle Haynes. The airline makes nearly 125,000 flights each year.