American Airlines to fly daily from Worcester to Philadelphia
Photo | Zachary Comeau
State, local and American Airlines officials gather for the unveiling of the American Airlines ticket counter at Worcester Regional Airport, including Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Worcester County Sheriff and Chairman of the Massport Board of Directors Lew Evangelidis and MassPort CEO Thomas Glynn.
American Airlines will become the third airline to fly commercial out of Worcester Regional Airport when it launches its daily service to Philadelphia International Airport in October, airport, state and local officials announced at the airport Monday.
Flights will depart Worcester at 8 a.m. and arrive in Philadelphia at 9:05 a.m., and return trips will leave Philadelphia at 9:30 a.m. and arrive in Worcester at 10:39 a.m.
The new destination is the fourth with year-round service for Worcester. Currently, JetBlue flies to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York begins next month.
Rectrix Aviation began seasonal flights to Hyannis last summer, and the company previously said it plans to fly to Baltimore/Washington, but that route has never been officially announced.
“What an incredible convenience and asset this is,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, who made the announcement to reporters and public officials.
She cited a report saying the airport is expected to generate over $369 million in economic activity over the next 10 years, including the 187 new jobs created by the expanded airport and its $61 million payroll.
“What an impact that has on the central region,” Polito said.
American's flights will be on the 50-seat Embraer 145 beginning Oct. 4, said Jason Reisinger, managing director American Airlines Global Network Planning.
“The new services provides access to the City of Brotherly Love and with a convenient arrival time, further connections to 115 destinations and 20 countries,” Reisinger said.
MassPort CEO Thomas Glynn said the agency took ownership of the airport in 2010 because of the connectivity opportunities the airport brings.
“The introduction of American Airlines service to Philadelphia is a clear dividend of that investment and we look forward to seeing what new opportunities this brings to and from Central Massachusetts,” he said.
The service not only provides transportation for tourists, but also the business community, said Tim Murray, CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“The daily connection provides access to a whole bunch of companies,” Murray said, commenting on the parallels of Philadelphia to Worcester and Central Massachusetts.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments