Massport, Delta Air Lines to Launch Daily Flight to Detroit

Third major airline to announce service at ORH in last 18 months

WORCESTER – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and Delta Air Lines today announced a new nonstop service from Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) August 2019. 

"Massport's investments in Worcester Regional Airport have continued to bring more growth and opportunities to the region of Central Massachusetts," said Lew Evangelidis, Sheriff of Worcester County & Chairman of the Massport Board of Directors. "We are excited that this new flight will provide a variety of travel options, not only to Detroit, but with connecting flights to many locations both within the U.S. and internationally!” 

Delta Air Lines will begin service between Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) and Detroit Metropolitan (DTW) next year, opening up over a hundred connecting opportunities both domestic and international. This flight will be operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines. Delta Air Lines is the third major airline to announce service at ORH in last 18 months alongside JetBlue’s service to New York and American Airlines’ service to Philadelphia. With 450 daily departures, Detroit is a primary connecting hub for Delta Air Lines customers, allowing customers from Worcester to connect to hundreds of locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Asia. Detroit Metro Airport serves 16 total airlines, 140+ nonstop destinations, served by 1,100 daily flights to and from four continents. The airport served more than 33 million passengers in 2017.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to promoting access to economic development throughout the state and expanding service at Worcester Regional Airport will help promote growth in Central Massachusetts,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “A Delta flight from Worcester Regional Airport to Detroit is yet another opportunity to connect Massachusetts’ local economy to the global economy and Governor Baker and I look forward to seeing its impact on the region’s communities." 

Congressman Jim McGovern (D- MA) has been a major advocate for investment in Worcester Regional Airport for many years and has played a significant role in moving the CAT III project forward by helping to secure important resources to bring this project to realization. In 2012, Congressman McGovern hosted a visit to Worcester and the airport by then U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, underscoring his commitment to seeing ORH thrive and Central Massachusetts grow along with it. 

“Massport’s investment in Worcester Airport has expanded economic vitality throughout Central Massachusetts,” said Congressman Jim McGovern. “Each new route – including this nonstop flight to Detroit brings new opportunity and business to our community. Worcester Airport has already helped bring $350 million into our local economy, and I know that through the ongoing work of Massport, that number will only continue to grow.” 

Detroit, also known as home to Aretha Franklin and Motown music, is the largest city in Michigan and known for its music scene, architecture and history. In 2017, more than 19 million people visited Detroit. The region’s leading attraction is The Henry Ford Museum, America's largest indoor-outdoor museum complex. Major corporations General Motors and Quicken Loans are headquartered in the city. In total, 17 Michigan corporations made the Fortune 500 list in 2018 including Ford Motors, DowDuPont, Penske Automotive Group, Whirlpool, Lear and Kellogg. 

“We’re excited to serve the second-largest city in New England through our Delta Connection partner SkyWest Airlines,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Network Planning. “With more than 450 daily departures out of our Detroit hub, our Worcester customers will have access to 134 destinations across the globe.” 

There are 28 colleges within 50 miles of Detroit with the largest being University of Michigan at Ann Arbor with 46,000 students. Detroit remains one of the fastest growing regions for technology jobs in the country and the area graduates more engineers per capita than any other area in North America.   

“We are excited about Delta’s new service between Worcester and Detroit and the breadth of increased travel options that will be available for both business and leisure passengers,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “The investments we have made in Worcester Regional Airport and the incredible support from Worcester and the surrounding communities have helped bring this launch to fruition.” 

A Massachusetts Department of Transportation economic impact study found that Worcester Regional Airport contributes $46.4 million to the regional economy. Worcester Regional Airport serves Worcester County, the second fastest growing county in Massachusetts, along with the Boston Metro West region and the bustling Interstate 495 corridor.