Vermont Business Magazine Along with the clearly good news that American Airlines was adding a direct flight to its second largest hub in Charlotte, NC, the message from the dignitaries gathered at Burlington International Airport Tuesday afternoon was, "Use it."
Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Gene Richards, joined by Secretary of Vermont Agency of Transportation Sue Minter, and other airport officials and stakeholders, announced that American Airlines will be adding new, non-stop air service from BTV to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The new service between BTV and CLT will launch on August 18, 2015, and flights became available for purchase this past Saturday. The Charlotte flight will be operated with an American Airlines 80-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft, featuring First Class and Main Cabin seating, as well as in-flight Wi-Fi service.
“Today’s announcement marks another important step in the right direction for the Burlington International Airport and the region’s economy,” said Mayor Weinberger. “Burlington, our neighbors, and people all over Vermont are fortunate to have this added opportunity to more easily reach their business or personal travel destinations. We thank American Airlines for its confidence in Burlington and welcome its Burlington to Charlotte service to our Airport. I appreciate all that Aviation Director Gene Richards and the Airport team have accomplished over the past three years.”
“We are delighted to announce this new service and confident it will provide Vermonters and our Canadian friends with more travel opportunities and connectivity around the world,” said Aviation Director Richards. “The BTV team has been working hard to further develop air service, and we are one hub closer to where we want to be. I strongly encourage our community to use this new service, as well as the others provided at BTV, so we can ensure our ability to retain and grow the exceptional level of air service to which we’re accustomed.”
If the route is popular, Richards said, it will continue. "This service is a pretty big deal."
Gene Richards, Sue Minter, Miro Weinberger and Tom Torti.
“VTrans is pleased to be a partner with Burlington International Airport in its expansion of services to new regional transportation hubs,” Minter said. “We congratulate the Airport on this success. Transportation investments that help expand the diversity of travel destinations will increase travel and business options for Vermonters and support regional economic growth.”
Republic Airlines will operate the new, daily service from Burlington to Charlotte, under the US Airways Express brand. The new flight complements existing flights from BTV to both Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington, DC (DCA). The first flight on this new route is scheduled to arrive in Burlington at 10:55 p.m. on August 18, 2015, and the first flight on this route leaving Burlington for Charlotte is scheduled to depart at 8:05 am on August 19, 2015.
Customers flying to Charlotte will have access to convenient connecting opportunities; Charlotte is one of the country’s major hubs and American Airlines’ second largest hub behind Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Charlotte is ranked eighth nationwide in passenger traffic according to the Airports Council International (ACI) rankings. American Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines. American Airlines and US Airways, which recetnly merged, together with regional partners, operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.
Tom Torti, President and CEO of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce, said: “The Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce is very pleased with the addition of this non-stop service from Burlington to Charlotte. Under the Mayor’s and Gene’s leadership, Burlington has made great progress at the Airport to vastly improve the customer experience, to reach out to additional carriers, and to add new routes. The Airport is a key economic development driver for the region and the state, and the addition of the Charlotte flight opens the door for increased economic opportunity.”
“Today’s announcement celebrates another milestone for our community and our ability to attract business, commerce, and tourism to Burlington, the region, and the State,” said Ward 6 City Councilor Karen Paul, Co-Chair of the Burlington City Council Airport Strategic Planning Committee. “I am happy to join the Mayor, a former Airport Commissioner and strong BTV supporter, to congratulate Gene and his entire team. Convincing an airline to establish new jet service to Burlington is no small feat; rather, it is the result of much hard work over many months, requiring a can-do attitude and perseverance, two of Gene’s and his team’s best qualities. People from near and far rave about their experience at BTV. Today is another banner day for our amazing Airport.”
Also attending the event were: Guy Rouelle, Aeronautics Administrator, Vermont Agency of Transportation; Kevin Dorn, South Burlington City Manager; Pat Nowak, South Burlington City Councilor; Jeff Munger, BTV Commission Chair; Nicolas Longo, BTV Director of Planning and Development; and Erin Knapp, BTV Marketing Assistant.
PHOTOS: Burlington Mayor Miro Weinberger leads the announcement of the new direct service to Charlotte, NC. Photos by Vermont Business Magazine.