Fort Wayne airport begins new service to Detroit
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Nonstop air service to and from Detroit officially returns to Fort Wayne International Airport beginning Friday. The route left the Fort Wayne market in October 2022 due to the pilot shortage, and its return is being heralded as a “major win” for the city.
Delta Air Lines is providing the service to Detroit Metropolitan Airport, with the first inbound flight arriving in Fort Wayne at 9:50 p.m. Friday. The first outbound flight will depart at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday.
“We are thrilled to finally welcome non-stop service to Detroit back to the Fort Wayne, and Northeast Indiana, community,” FWA Executive Director of Airports Scott Hinderman said in a news release. “Airport staff has worked diligently with community members, as well as Delta Air Lines, to bring this crucial airline service back. We appreciate Delta’s continued partnership and commitment to FWA and look forward to connecting Fort Wayne to the world via Detroit.”
In a May interview with Inside INdiana Business, Hinderman credited the region’s business community with being a major player in getting the Detroit service back.
“The business community in northeast Indiana really engaged, and they wrote letters to the route planners, decision makers with Delta, showed them what their individual company’s travel budget was and how they’re reasonably loyal to Delta,” he said. “With that, Delta has made the decision.”
Fort Wayne Mayor Sharon Tucker lauded the Detroit service’s return and the airport’s efforts.
“Restoring nonstop service from Fort Wayne to Detroit is a major win for our community,” Tucker said. “Being able to connect with Detroit in this manner will have a positive and lasting impact to position us for current and future economic development opportunities and as an important amenity for business and leisure travel for individuals and families.”
The return of Detroit service brings the airport’s total nonstop destinations to 13 on four airlines. Other routes include Chicago, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta.