German airline will not fly into Sarasota-Bradenton

CREDIT: Condor Air

Although Sarasota-Bradenton International has been trying to get Condor Air, a German airline, to fly in and out of the airport for two years, the airline told the airport Wednesday that it will not be flying into Sarasota-Bradenton International.

The airline praised the airport’s package of incentives and efforts. But in a letter to airport officials, Condor stated that the potentially lingering effects of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which gushed more than 100-million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico from late April to August, could have long-term negative impacts on travel to the state.

The letter from Condor also stated that it has reservations about Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport’s customs, catering, immigrations and technical support operations. Condor said financial gains on Florida flights were limited, which hindered any expansion into the state. Condor currently serves one Florida destination, Fort Lauderdale. Condor had considered flying nonstop from Frankfurt twice weekly, from April to October, for a two-year period beginning in 2011. Each of its flights, aboard Boeing 767 aircraft, could have brought 270 passengers.

Condor’s other U.S. service includes Los Angeles; San Francisco; Las Vegas; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.