Branson Airport finds carrier, withholds name

A national network carrier has signed on to serve the new Branson Airport, and officials have a launched a marketing campaign leading up to a big reveal.

Deputy Director of Marketing and Air Service Development Gene Conrad wouldn't provide details about the carrier, other than to say it will be offering daily flights out of the airport - known as BBG - slated to open May 11 near U.S. Highway 65.

The campaign, titled "Who's it gonna be at BBG?" kicked off Nov. 25 with more than two dozen billboard, print, radio and TV advertisements running in Springfield and Branson. The campaign invites the public to visit www.flybranson.com and guess the carrier, with a chance to win round-trip tickets or travel vouchers to any of the airline's U.S. destinations from Branson.

"The fact that we're spending marketing dollars and advertising out there must mean we're getting close to making an announcement," Conrad said, noting a specific announcement date isn't on the calendar just yet. "There's one (carrier so far). Hopefully we'll have many."