Vision enters Tampa Bay market

Vision Airlines will begin serving Gulf Coast customers by flying in and out of St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport in March, the company announced today. The discount airliner began offering fares for as low as $49 this week.

“Our goal is not to take over the aviation industry,” said David Meers, Vision Airlines' chief operating officer, in a conversation with USA Today. “It's not to go out and try to poke the large carriers in the eye. We believe there's a niche available.”

The firm appears to have its eyes on one airline in particular. “If Allegiant Airlines is Coke, then there's always got to be a Pepsi,” Meers said, regarding his company's approach.

Vision Airlines is based in Suwanee, Ga., and has been in operation since 1994.