In response to Paul Dunn’s Feb. 3 column: Moore County Airport (SOP) is served by an increasing number of flights every year. No, they are not commercial, scheduled flights.

Air travel as we once knew it is gone. The business traveler today uses the fractional cost approach: “Fly by the hours.” The cost and time savings is huge — time versus money. Scheduled airlines will never compete in this arena. Ride in the equipment set up for your business and only pay for the hours you use.

Talk to the people getting off the jets that land at SOP; it will open your eyes to the type of air traveler of today. A couple flying a $20 million jet to play a round of golf and be back in Boston for dinner. Pro golfers working a training run at Pinehurst before a tournament in two days in California. Walmart executives making a quick business meeting with the local store.

We have a fantastic airport, but it needs to rebrand itself to meet the needs of the 21st century. Charter flights, fractional aircraft owners based here, continuing education programs with Sandhills Community College in avionics, engine repair, sheet metal and general aviation marketing. A nice eating establishment on the field would draw more aircraft and flights than any other single change. Carthage has drawn more than 50 aircraft flying in on a Saturday just to eat some pig. How many jet pilots would work it in as a stop if they could get good food and gas at the same time?

If asked to rename the airport just for the sake of a name, use Pinehurst Executive Airport. Sanford is now Sanford Executive.

I’m just a pilot who pays for a hangar and flies every week. What would I know about aviation?

Jim Murray

Lakeview