The Massachusetts Port Authority today officially announced that new air service from Worcester Regional Airport to Florida will begin Nov. 22.
Direct Air will offer flights to Orlando/Sanford and Punta Gorda, Fla. Massport said the airline also plans to begin offering service from Worcester to Myrtle Beach, S.C. in the spring of 2009.
Massport and the City of Worcester will spend up to $300,000 in federal grant money to promote service from the airport.
Flights between Worcester and the two Florida destinations will run on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fares will start at $99 each way, with first class seats costing $199 each way. The service will use Airbus A-320 aircraft, with eight first-class seats and 141 coach seats.
Direct Air is based in Myrtle Beach and specializes in service to secondary airports. Its flights are public charters operated by Virgin America.
The Worcester Regional Airport has long been a source of consternation for local economic development officials. Several attempts to secure regular air passenger travel from the site have failed in the past. Some have even called for the airport to be shut down to make way for other, more profitable ventures.
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