DFW International Airport is picking up service to five small cities as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s program to strengthen service to regional airports.
The federal government’s Small Community Air Service Development Program gave $3.65 million combined to airports in Rochester, Minn.; Great Falls, Mont/; Natchez, Miss.; Pasco, Wash., and Charleston, West Virginia, to start flying non-stop routes to DFW International Airport.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines and its regional carriers will do the flying to Rochester, Great Falls, Pasco and Charleston, while Southern Express Airways will operate the route to Natchez, Miss. Southern Express has an agreement with American Airlines that lets passengers book flights, connect tickets and transfer bags as if they were one airline.
Many small cities have lost service over the last two years, most recently because regional carriers for airlines such as American have a shortage of pilots. American Airlines has parked about 100 regional aircraft and said it could take two to three years for the regional pilot shortage to subside. That’s because regional pilots are being recruited to larger network airlines with higher pay to make up for pilots that are hitting mandatory retirement ages.
In all, $16.9 million went to 25 airports across the country through the program to help create more flights at small airports. It’s different from the Essential Air Service Program, which subsidizes flights to small airports that don’t have service with any other commercial airline.
The small community grants give money to airports to help with marketing expenses and guarantee a minimum revenue for airlines that start new routes.
One regional airport in Texas was picked in Corpus Christi, which will gain service to Las Vegas and Denver on low-cost carrier Sun Country.
For airports such as West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, its $600,000 grant will allow it to expand service into the western United States. The airport already has service on American, Delta, United and Spirit flying nonstop to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Orlando and Washington, D.C.
It’s also planning to add flights to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston with the money.
The route to DFW Airport connects the West Virginia community to American Airlines’ biggest hub, where it serves 239 total destinations.
“We are thrilled and thankful to have been selected to receive this opportunity and share it with our loyal passengers,” said a statement from West Virginia International Airport Director and CEO Nick Keller. “West Virginia’s economy is experiencing significant growth, and we’ve noticed the increasing demand for air service here. Great air service is critical to our region, quality of life, and the ability to attract new visitors and business.”
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