By Joey Gerardi
Interview: JSX Adds Third Texas Destination
As airlines add back service in preparation for their busy holiday season, Dallas-based regional airline JSX has announced it’s third destination in the state of Texas. Beginning in January, the airline will fly two routes to the border town of Lajitas, located in west Texas.
JSX Texas Routes (Photo: JSX)
The new flights on JSX to Lajitas will begin on Jan. 8, 2021, and are currently only bookable through the end February 2021, but that could be extended as time goes on. Flights will all operate on either the carrier’s Embraer E135 or E145, both of which offer special 1×1 seating.
Executive 1×1 seating on the carriers Embraer jets (Photo: JSX)
Flight’s will start at $99 one-way from both Houston and Dallas, and the flight time will be around one hour and 30 minutes from both cities to Lajitas.
This city is an interesting add for this carrier, as it has never flown to this type of airport before. The airport code for this destination doesn’t even have three letters, but instead numbers and letters: T89. The reason for this is that the airport is privately owned.
AirlineGeeks sat down with Lajitas Airport Manger Drew Thomann to discuss the new JSX service to the airport.
AirlineGeeks (AG): How often will the JSX flights operate?
Drew Thomann (DT): Looking at our schedule for 2021, we are averaging about seven a month.
(AG): Seven a month, is that seven to both Dallas and Houston or a mixture of the two?
(DT): The seven a month is mixed between both Dallas and Houston.
(AG): Do you expect more airline or charter service like this to begin in the near future?
(DT): We are at our limit, as far as the accommodations quantity wise at the resort. I think it will continue to grow, but the resort is going to have to grow with it.
(AG): You just mentioned the resort, is the airport on the site of the resort and is it owned by it?
(DT): Yes, the airport is owned by the Lajitas Golf Resort, and it’s on Lajitas property. Lajitas Golf Resort owns 27,000-acres, the golf resort is located on the southwestern border of the property, and [Lajitas Airport is located] on the northeastern part of the property. So they’re about five miles apart, but they are all on the same property.
(AG): When was the last time a scheduled airline or charter service operated flights to Lajitas Airport?
(DT): They’ve been doing it for years already. We’re just switching to a new operator is all.
(AG): So what airline or company was operating flights before JSX?
(DT): RVR is the name of the company. In the past we’ve also had Western Airways and Meregrass.
(AG): So scheduled service to Houston and Dallas isn’t unheard of for your airport?
(DT): No, absolutely not.
(AG): Where will the flights operate out of at your airport?
(DT): They will operate out of our [fixed-based operator] (FBO) building at the airport. Passengers will also be able to wait for the shuttle there as well.
(AG): What type of airport is Lajitas?
(DT): We are privately owned, opened to the public. We don’t receive any government funding, we’re just an independent FBO.
A rendering of Lajitas Airport from above. (Photo: Lajitas Airport)
Joe has always been interested in planes, for as long as he can remember. He grew up in Central New York during the early 2000s when US Airways Express turboprops ruled the skies. Being from a non-aviation family made it harder for him to be around planes and would only spend about three hours a month at the airport. He was so excited when he could drive by himself and the first thing he did with the license was get ice cream and go plane spotting for the entire day. When he has the time (and money) he likes to take spotting trips to any location worth a visit. He’s currently enrolled at Western Michigan University earning a degree in Aviation Management and Operations.
