Archive for the ‘econdev’ Category:
Social Flights For Economic Development
Economic Development is on everyone’s minds as people realize that their local economy can have a dramatic impact on the their position in the next largest markets. Now, data is converging so rapidly with the travel experience that opportunities for unique locations to provide unique experiences are truly profound.
From Wikipedia:
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area. Such actions can involve multiple areas including development of human capital, critical infrastructure, regional competitiveness, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, health, safety, literacy, and other initiatives. Economic development differs from economic growth.
Look at the photo above and the Wikipedia entry below it. It is literally possible to visualize ALL economic indicators in a single flash of an IPhone. Human capital cannot readily organize without education, transportation, clean environment, social inclusion, safety, and health services. A community desirable to its citizens is a community desirable to its markets.
This goes without saying for cities that have grown to a size where major airports have become almost a scourge – many of these cities themselves began as a cross roads for land, water, or train transportation in their respective histories. Efficient air transportation without the “crossroads” may hold a distinct economic advantage for communities where the access to economic information is equalized by the Internet. In other words, all things being equal, travelers will prefer a location that is relevant, pristine, uncrowded, and welcoming.
Social Flights is pioneering the concept of the Community Airline, specifically termed “Public Charter”. The idea is simple; there is very little that a major airline can do for a small community that a small community cannot do for itself, better, faster, cheaper, and without sacrificing safety – all within the existing regulatory environment. Social Flights can help communities to acquire, maintain, market, and operate modern aircraft which can be deployed on a schedule that suits the community priorities.
Look at the picture again – this is the mural upon which communities will define themselves in the digital age. Social Flights provides all the economic development benefits of an airline without the burdens of a hub airport