Tucson International Airport Celebrates Launch Of American Airlines' Nonstop Flights to New York

    Oct. 7, 2016
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    Tucson Airport Authority
    A celebration commemorating the launch was held Oct. 7, at Tucson's airport prior to the scheduled 8:15 a.m. departure.
    A celebration commemorating the launch was held Oct. 7, at Tucson's airport prior to the scheduled 8:15 a.m. departure.

    More than three years' of work by Tucson business and community leaders came to fruition this week with the launch of new nonstop flights between Tucson International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. A celebration commemorating the launch was held Oct. 7, at Tucson's airport prior to the scheduled 8:15 a.m. departure.

    The celebration included Tucson Metro Chamber President and CEO Mike Varney and CAID Industries CEO Bill Assenmacher, who led the chamber's Air Service Task Force that worked with community leaders to help secure the flights, along with Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Visit Tucson President and CEO Brent DeRaad, American Airlines' Regional Director of Government Affairs Joseph Hughes, Tucson Airport Authority Board Chair Tony Finley and TAA President and CEO Bonnie Allin.

    Gaining nonstop air service to New York has long been a priority for business, tourism and community leaders as well as the Tucson Airport Authority. Not only does it provide direct access to the nation's largest business center, the flight offers convenient and new connections to destinations across the Atlantic, along the Eastern seaboard and into Canada.

    The speakers noted the new flight gives the Tucson region direct access to the nation's most important financial center. It's also the top source for group planning, which will help Tucson's critical tourism industry.

    Task Force Chair Assenmacher repeated his appreciation of the support his committee received from business leaders.

    TAA Board Chair Finley and TAA President Allin thanked all those who worked so diligently to secure the flight, including the vote of confidence for Tucson from American Airlines.

    "What's most impressive about this celebration today is that it shows what happens when we as a community come together to do something," Finley said. "Now it's up to us as a community to take this opportunity and make something of it."