Delta Air Lines will add a new flight to its successful schedule from Worcester Regional Airport. Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, will add a midday flight to its two daily nonstops between Worcester and Atlanta aboard Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) aircraft. Delta is looking to capitalize on what has been a banner year for the Central Massachusetts airport. Since initiating service in February, ASA has carried almost 50,000 people and flights have gone out 76 percent full over the past ten months.
"Delta's investment in Worcester is a clear example that regionalization is taking root in the airline industry," said Massport Executive Director and CEO Virginia Buckingham. "Massport will continue to seek alternatives to Logan Airport and provide options for the traveling public. This year passengers have welcomed three new airlines to Worcester Regional Airport and we expect that success to continue into the New Year."
The additional flight will commence service on April 1, 2001 and augment Delta's current schedule which consists of two departures from Worcester to Atlanta at 7:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. and two departures from Atlanta to Worcester at 12:35 p.m. and 7:25 p.m. The new flight will depart Atlanta for Worctser at 8:00 a.m. and depart Worcester for Atlanta at 11:00 a.m. Travelers from Central Massachusetts and the Metro West region will now have increased jet access to Atlanta - the largest single?airline hub in the world. Atlanta offers Worcester travelers access to 900 Delta and Delta Connection flights each day to 168 domestic and international destinations.
Today's news comes just three weeks after Pan American Airlines announced its intention to begin daily jet service to and from Sanford Airport outside Orlando, Florida. Since Massport took over operation of Worcester Regional Airport on January 15, 2000 the authority has lured three new carriers to the underutilized facility. Massport also recently announced that Worcester Regional Airport served over 100,000 passengers - more than double the 49,000 people who passed through the airport in 1999.
Massport plans to build on the success seen at regional airports in Manchester and Providence, creating more options for the traveling public while reducing the burden on Logan International Airport. While regional airports are booming, Logan's growth has declined to about two percent a year. Increased service at Worcester and a new runway at Logan will improve the efficiency of New England's regional transportation system.