Orange County Business : Airport Director, Airlines Discuss Reno Air Proposal

Representatives of several major airlines that serve John Wayne Airport met Thursday with the airport director, Jan Mittermeier, to voice their concerns about a proposal that would allow discount carrier Reno Air to begin service later this month.

Though some airlines are staunchly opposed to the arrangement, the meeting went amicably, airport spokeswoman Courtney Weircioch said. Mittermeier offered to meet with the representatives so that they would fully understand the proposal that goes before the County Board of Supervisors next week.

Reno Air does not currently fly from John Wayne Airport but wants to start operating six daily flights to San Jose now being flown by American Airlines, with which it has a strategic relationship. American wants to give up the routes because of competitive pressure from low-cost Southwest Airlines, which began flying from Orange County last month.

In the past, abandoned landing slots would be reapportioned to existing airlines at the airport, but Mittermeier said she favors the Reno Air proposal on a trial basis through September.