Tag: Paige Withrow

Yeager Airport Official Named To State Journal’s 40 Under 40

West Virginia International Yeager Airport’s Chief Marketing Officer Paige Withrow has been named to The State Journal’s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 for 2023. Each year, the publication honors 40 emerging young leaders under the age of 40 in industries throughout the state for their accomplishments within their respective communities.

West Virginia International Yeager Airport’s (CRW) Chief Marketing Officer Paige Withrow has been named to The State Journal’s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 for 2023. 

Each year, the publication honors 40 emerging young leaders under the age of 40 in industries across the state for their accomplishments within their respective communities. 

Withrow, who graduated from West Virginia University (WVU), was recognized for her efforts in promoting the state through her work at Yeager Airport.

She started work in 2016 at Airport’s Fixed Base Operator (FBO) before working her way up to chief marketing officer in 2022. 

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized as part of this year’s State Journal’s Generation Next: 40 Under 40 for 2023,” Withrow said.

This is the fourth year in a row that an employee from CRW has been recognized by The State Journal.

“So that tells you about our team and all the people we have on staff,” Withrow said. “I’m so fortunate to be able to give back to our state and work in a place that I love. West Virginia holds a special place in my heart, and it is a privilege to contribute to the state’s growth and success through my role at West Virginia International Yeager Airport.”

Airport Director & CEO Dominique Ranieri credits Withrow’s marketing efforts with elevating Yeager’s brand and helping the airport promote the region’s economy. 

“We are incredibly proud of Paige’s accomplishments and the well-deserved recognition she has received from The State Journal,” Ranieri said. “Her innovative marketing approach has elevated our airport’s brand and helped us achieve our strategic goals. This award is a testament to her hard work and commitment to our state, the airport team, and our passengers.”

Spirit Airlines To Stop Flights To W.Va. 

Spirit Airlines has announced it will stop service from West Virginia International Yeager Airport in May. 

The surprise decision that the budget airline will no longer provide flight service from Yeager to Orlando and Myrtle Beach starting May 4 caught airport officials off guard.

Paige Withrow, chief marketing officer for Yeager said they were informed Wednesday and told that while flights to Orlando International Airport (MCO) and Myrtle Beach International Airport have been performing exceptionally well, Spirit Airlines is facing industry challenges.

“The airline reports they are facing operational issues as well as air space constraints in Florida at the Jacksonville Air Traffic Control Center,” she said.

Some of those operational issues include engine maintenance issues, Withrow added.

Slowing demand, supply chain issues and a national pilot shortage since the pandemic have hit smaller hub airports like Yeager particularly hard. 

The airport also faces “leakage” to larger airports – a phenomenon where travelers drive to other (out-of-region) airports to take advantage of lower fares and more convenient airline services. 

Spirit Airlines currently offers service to Orlando International Airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday of each week. Historically the airline has operated seasonal service in the summer for passengers flying to Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR).

Withrow said Yeager airport officials plan to pursue other air service providers to resume flights to Florida as well as additional routes to the region.

In a statement U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito said she was troubled by the announcement.

“I’m disappointed to learn that Spirit Airlines will be ending service from Yeager Airport in Charleston due to more cuts the airline is making,” Capito said.

Capitol said they have reached out to Yeager airport officials to explore “any and all other options” that may be available to them.

“My understanding on Spirit Airlines is, and we talk with Yeager Airport… we keep very close touch with them, is that Spirit is part of a larger cutback, has cut Yeager’s flights to Myrtle Beach and Orlando,” she said. “It’s devastating to our community, quite frankly and we are going to work with the Yeager airport folks, and Dominique (Ranieri) to try to do whatever we can to try to reinstate another carrier with these flights.”

Capito said the flights to Orlando have been packed and reiterated that their loss is a huge blow to the area.

“But you know what, we can live to fight another day here and find another carrier that will suit our needs just as well,” she said.

Senators Capito and Joe Manchin were part of a congressional delegation who, along with the Kanawha County Commission, helped secure the Small Community Service Development (SCASD) Grant that provided the minimum revenue guarantee (MRG), which attracted Spirit Airlines to the Charleston, West Virginia market.

Spirit Airlines will issue a notice of cancellation to ticketed passengers who have booked flights after May 4. Customers are advised to contact the airline directly for assistance by visiting Spirit Airlines website or by calling 855-728-3555

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