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Akron-Canton Airport lands service to Washington
By Betty Lin-Fishe
Beacon Journal business writer
POSTED: 06:46 p.m. EST, Jan 06, 2009
It's now official: The Akron-Canton Airport will indeed have its first nonstop flight to Washington, D.C., later this month.
U.S. Airways was awarded a coveted opening at Ronald Reagan National Airport in November. But the other airline competing for the slot, Midwest Airlines, appealed the decision to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Landing and takeoff slots at Reagan National are restricted by the government and rarely come open. Akron-Canton Airport, through its airline partners, has been trying for a slot for 10 years. It was denied most recently in 2003.
Midwest's appeal was turned down, so the original decision stands in awarding U.S. Airways one slot for landing and one for takeoff fromAkron-Canton.
Airport officials have said strong support from the area's congressional representatives and a letter-writing campaign from travelers, local political leaders and businesses made a difference in obtaining the flight.
By contrast, Midwest Airlines did not have similar support documents in its case, said airport president and CEO Rick McQueen. Midwest also already has five trips a day to Reagan Airport from Milwaukee.
The appeal did not push back the original start date for the flight, which will be Jan. 25, but did shorten the window for bookings, said Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer.
''This is the dream fulfilled,'' Van Auken said.
Airport officials have said the nation's capital was the most requested location that the airport did not serve with a nonstop flight.
''If you put it in context of what's going on in the industry right now or the general world economy, to think that we're adding a flight and growing is remarkable,'' Van Auken said. ''For an airline to have that much faith in us and start something new during these unprecedented times is fantastic. We'll work really hard to make sure this flight is successful.''
Flights will be available for purchase beginning Sunday from Web sites that sell airline tickets or ticketing agencies. The departure time from Akron-Canton will be 6:20 a.m., arriving in Washington at 7:38 a.m. The return time will leave Washington at 7:59 p.m. and arrive at 9:21 p.m.
The airline has not yet released fares, Van Auken said. Airport officials have said business fares will be charged, not discount or leisure fares. Van Auken said she is not sure if the airline would offer introductory fares.
The new flight will be U.S. Airways' eighth daily departure from Akron-Canton. It now offers five nonstops a day to Charlotte, N.C., and two nonstops to Philadelphia.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
It's now official: The Akron-Canton Airport will indeed have its first nonstop flight to Washington, D.C., later this month.
U.S. Airways was awarded a coveted opening at Ronald Reagan National Airport in November. But the other airline competing for the slot, Midwest Airlines, appealed the decision to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Landing and takeoff slots at Reagan National are restricted by the government and rarely come open. Akron-Canton Airport, through its airline partners, has been trying for a slot for 10 years. It was denied most recently in 2003.
Midwest's appeal was turned down, so the original decision stands in awarding U.S. Airways one slot for landing and one for takeoff fromAkron-Canton.
Airport officials have said strong support from the area's congressional representatives and a letter-writing campaign from travelers, local political leaders and businesses made a difference in obtaining the flight.
By contrast, Midwest Airlines did not have similar support documents in its case, said airport president and CEO Rick McQueen. Midwest also already has five trips a day to Reagan Airport from Milwaukee.
The appeal did not push back the original start date for the flight, which will be Jan. 25, but did shorten the window for bookings, said Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer.
''This is the dream fulfilled,'' Van Auken said.
Airport officials have said the nation's capital was the most requested location that the airport did not serve with a nonstop flight.
''If you put it in context of what's going on in the industry right now or the general world economy, to think that we're adding a flight and growing is remarkable,'' Van Auken said. ''For an airline to have that much faith in us and start something new during these unprecedented times is fantastic. We'll work really hard to make sure this flight is successful.''
Flights will be available for purchase beginning Sunday from Web sites that sell airline tickets or ticketing agencies. The departure time from Akron-Canton will be 6:20 a.m., arriving in Washington at 7:38 a.m. The return time will leave Washington at 7:59 p.m. and arrive at 9:21 p.m.
The airline has not yet released fares, Van Auken said. Airport officials have said business fares will be charged, not discount or leisure fares. Van Auken said she is not sure if the airline would offer introductory fares.
The new flight will be U.S. Airways' eighth daily departure from Akron-Canton. It now offers five nonstops a day to Charlotte, N.C., and two nonstops to Philadelphia.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at
330-996-3724 or blinfisher@
thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Posted 08:25 PM, 01/06/2009
Best managed business in NEO = The Akron-Canton Airport.
