Charter service to Gulf Coast to launch in June

A New Orleans-based entrepreneur is launching a charter air connection between Nashville and Alabama’s Gulf Coast, promising a way to avoid traffic backups in that area.

Southeast Beach Express is the brainchild of Jay Taffet, a former U.S. Air Force pilot who specializes in early-stage venture development as well as aviation businesses. The new project from his Gracen Jules firm is slated to begin flying from John C. Tune Airport June 3 and is pricing its round trips at $690.