Business View Magazine Jan-2019

89 tion–a combination of vacationers, owners of sec- ond homes, and business flyers; helicopters transfer- ring crews and supplies to offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico; and the many non-aeronautical businesses on its property. “People come to Galveston all the time on busi- ness and vacation, so we are able to pull in custom- ers that way,”Shahan avers.“First,we are a quick al- ternative to the airports located in the busy Houston Class B airspace. Secondly, Galveston is an excellent place to conduct business.The Port of Galveston is situated at the entrance to the Houston Ship Chan- nel, so Galveston is home to many large businesses because of the Port and its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Galveston is also home to world-class hospitals, such as the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), John Sealy Hospital, and the Shri- ners Hospitals for Children.As such,we have daily medical flights bringing patients from all over the U.S., Canada, and Central America.Medical flights clear U.S. customs at the Airport and travel directly to the hospitals.Third, Galveston is a great place to relax and enjoy oneself or embark on a cruise with one of the several cruise ships that call Galveston’s port, home.We have more than seven million visi- tors each year that come to Galveston for vacation, special events, corporate retreats, and conferences.” Currently, between 75 and 100 GA aircraft are