New Nonstops For South Bend, Fort Wayne
(photo courtesy South Bend Regional Chamber)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowNew nonstop flights are coming this summer to South Bend and Fort Wayne. American Airlines to restart operations at South Bend International Airport with twice-daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The airline is also adding daily nonstop service between Fort Wayne International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport.
All three nonstop flights will begin June 7. Governor Eric Holcomb Thursday joined officials from the St. Joseph County Airport Authority to announce the return of American to the South Bend airport, calling the news "a big win for the entire state."
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is matching a local commitment of $750,000 over a two-year period as a revenue guarantee for the route.
"Today’s announcement is many years in the making," said Mike Daigle, executive director of SBN. "We are thrilled that American Airlines is returning to South Bend with not just one route, but two. Without the Governor’s initiatives to make air service development a priority, Indiana’s legislators, and the support of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, we would not be here today. This is a win for the South Bend region and a win for the state of Indiana."
The Fort Wayne route is one of three routes to Philadelphia announced Thursday by American Airlines. The Fort Wayne International Airport says the new nonstop route comes on the heels of record passenger traffic for the airport in 2017.
"We are very excited about this announcement and the air service growth for the community,” said Scott Hinderman, executive director of airports. "It is exciting to have this level of connectivity return to Northeast Indiana. PHL is a great hub for both domestic and international connections. American Airlines has been a great partner of FWA and now will serve Northeast Indiana with four hubs. Today’s announcement of the FWA-PHL non-stop route speaks well to the attractive business climate in Northeast Indiana. PHL is an excellent route connecting our region to the world and the world to our region."
In all, American Airlines says it plans to add 52 nonstop routes worldwide in 2018.