FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2015
Contact: Jennifer Kaulius
802.324.2505
Mayor Miro Weinberger Celebrates Inaugural American Airlines Non-Stop Flight from Burlington, VT to Charlotte, NC
Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger and Aviation Director Gene Richards, joined by other airport officials and stakeholders, today celebrated the first non-stop air service from Burlington International Airport (BTV) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) serviced by American Airlines. The 80-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft featuring First Class and Main Cabin seating, complete with in-flight Wi-Fi service, took flight at 8:05 am, marking the inaugural flight from Burlington, Vermont to Charlotte, North Carolina.
“Today’s start of non-stop service to Charlotte is another step in the right direction for the Burlington International Airport and our region’s economy,” said Mayor Weinberger. “We welcome American Airlines’ Burlington to Charlotte service to our Airport and encourage the region to use this great new travel option.”
Today’s American flight marks the first time since the summer of 2008 that American has offered non-stop service between BTV and CLT. This flight complements existing American Airlines flights from BTV to both Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington, DC (DCA).
“We’re pleased to offer this new non-stop service between Burlington and Charlotte, which connects BTV with one of American’s largest hubs,” said Director Richards. “This service is a great connection for both the business and leisure traveler. The opportunities that come with this non-stop service will help bridge Vermonters and the Northeast region to the rest of the world.”
Charlotte offers 159 connection non-stop destinations for its customers; CLT is American Airlines’ second largest hub after Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Charlotte is ranked sixth nationwide in operations conducting 712 daily departures, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) rankings. BTV staff and American representatives welcomed the flight on arrival in Burlington at 10:55 pm yesterday.
“American Airlines is thrilled to extend service from Burlington to Charlotte, North Carolina, which is our second largest hub,” said Irina Pacilio, Station Manager for American Airlines. “We look forward to the opportunities that this will bring for both Burlington and Charlotte. We appreciate your business and thank you for flying American Airlines.”
“This American Airlines direct flight to Charlotte is exactly the type of new service expansion that BTV and the State of Vermont need to continue our economic expansion by increasing the mobility options available to Vermonters and Vermont companies,” said Chris Cole, Deputy Secretary for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. “The Burlington International Airport is a critical piece of transportation infrastructure that not only serves the Chittenden County region but also supports the underlying economy of the entire state, and we are pleased to see new service destinations added to the airline offerings.”
Also attending this morning’s event were: Guy Rouelle, Aeronautics Administrator, Vermont Agency of Transportation; Jeff Munger, BTV Commission Chair; Burlington City Councilors and BTV Commissioners; Nicolas Longo, BTV Director of Planning and Development; Marie Friedman, BTV Chief Financial Officer; Amanda Hanaway-Corrente, BTV Director of Engineering and Environmental Compliance; Kelly Colling, BTV Director of Operations; and Erin Knapp, BTV Marketing Assistant.
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