GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Eastwind Airlines unveiled its first
corporate travel program designed to encourage business travel on
the low-fare carrier.
Under the program, Eastwind will guarantee the lowest published
fare, regardless of inventory availability, for any reservation
made at least 24 hours before departure. Companies must book a
minimum of $1,000 per month in order to qualify for the
program.
Eastwind will waive $35 change fees for cancellations, name or
itinerary changes for program participants. No prepayment is
necessary, but credit card payment is required at the time of
booking.
Eastwind becomes the third low-fare carrier to launch a
corporate program in the past two months. Western Pacific, of
Denver, and Vanguard Airlines, of Kansas City, Mo., recently
launched their own corporate account programs.
The major carriers increased business travel air fares more than
17% during the first 11 months of 1997, and travel managers have
complained that they will be forced to find alternatives if fares
continue to rise at this pace.
Eastwind officials, however, said they considered a corporate
program for some time. "We have been batting the idea around for
awhile to decide how we could do it," said company president Herman
Gillis.
Eastwind, based in Greensboro, N.C., operates service from
Boston; Greensboro, N.C.; Orlando and Tampa, Fla.; Trenton, N.C.,
and Dulles airport in Washington.
Eastwind pays 12% commissions. For details, call (888)
EASTWIND.