SkyValue

Fliers should not be afraid that SkyValue USA is faltering despite its decision to pull one of its destinations, according to Chris Curry, director of Gary/Chicago International Airport. The passenger airline will be ending flights to Fort Lauderdale in mid-January, raising concerns that SkyValue was going the way of former Gary airlines Hooters Air, Southeast and Pan Am.

Also, on Thursday, a passenger flight from Florida to Gary was diverted to the South Bend airport because of weather-related problems. Curry said passengers were bussed back to Gary.
Curry said he isn't worried, and is actually surprised by the success of SkyValue's Mesa-Phoenix line, which he says is also attracting numerous fliers coming back to Northwest Indiana and Chicago from Arizona.

"When we went into this venture with SkyValue, we understood there were three markets that were tested. They were Las Vegas, Orlando, Fla., and St. Petersburg, Fla.," said Curry. "With Mesa-Phoenix ... we were quite surprised with the success of that route. We're trying to find our niche in the market. I think we've found four quality destinations. However, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., turned out to be not as successful. Twenty people were affected by cancellation of the first flights, although other Fort Lauderdale flights will go on through mid-January.