Reno Air will fly into Gulfport-Biloxi airport

Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

A task force of local business and community leaders announced the deal at a news conference Tuesday.

Casinos and other businesses have pooled their funds to give the Reno, Nevada-based airline a financial guarantee. No details about the deal have been released.

In an interview earlier this month, Steve Sarner, the airlines vice president of marketing, called the deal a "low-risk initial program" with revenue guarantees to Reno Air.

"What makes it attractive is that the community is courting us," Sarner said.

Sarner said the company doesn't believe it's taking a risk in launching regularly scheduled jet service on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"We're very attracted to the Gulf Coast," he said. "It is a viable, emerging marketplace with a maturing casino industry and other attractions as well, such as golfing and other leisure attractions."

The low-fare full-service jet airline flies MD-80 and MD-90 series jets with an average age of five years, making it one of the industry's youngest fleets. Reno-Air's record also makes it one of the safest airline in the country.