Flights from Duluth International Airport to Detroit, Chicago Return

Posted on Mon, Mar. 01, 2004 

Flights to Detroit, Chicago Return
Duluth News Tribune, MN

The Duluth International Airport got more cosmopolitan
this week, with Northwest Airlines and American Eagle
adding service to Detroit and Chicago.

Through Sunday, the only regularly scheduled
destination was Minneapolis.

But on Monday, Northwest Airlines resumed direct
service from Duluth to Detroit, with two nonstop
flights daily.

Today, American Eagle resumes services to Chicago,
with three nonstop flights daily.

"It's great news. For an airport our size to have
direct service to three major hubs is really unusual,"
said Brian Ryks, executive director of the Duluth
Airport Authority.

Northwest will continue with nine flights daily to the
Twin Cities.

Now, Ryks said, Northland air travelers must use the
Duluth airport, or the service won't last long. To
that end, the authority is embarking on a major
advertising campaign to convince travelers to fly out
of Duluth and not drive to the Twin Cities to start
their air travel.

"It's Northwest's goal to keep the difference under
$100 to fly out of Duluth, and it's usually less. I
think most people are willing to pay that for the
convenience of not driving and parking at the Twin
Cities airport," Ryks said.

It's the second time around for both carriers for
these routes.

American Eagle launched service to Duluth in 1998 and
discontinued it at the end of 2002. Northwest began
flying between Duluth and Detroit in 1998 and halted
the service in 2000. Both airlines cited inadequate
profit as their reason for cutting services.

Now, Northwest officials say they want to make Detroit
a popular hub destination for travelers, especially
international flights. Northwest expects Detroit's
flights to Florida and direct service to Europe will
be well-received.

Northwest's resumption of Duluth-Detroit flights has
been made possible, at least in part, because of a
more-efficient airplane. The airline previously relied
on 69-seat RJ85 Avroliners operated by its
Minnesota-based partner Mesaba Airlines to shuttle
passengers between Duluth and Detroit. Now, Northwest
has joined forces with Memphis-based Pinnacle Airlines
Corp. and its fleet of 50-seat Canadair regional jets.

Northwest officials concede that resumed competition
from American Eagle also played a factor in
Northwest's decision. American Eagle flights will
allow travelers to hook up with hundreds of American
Airlines destinations out of Chicago.

American Eagle will be flying 50-seat or 44-seat
Embraer regional jets from Duluth to Chicago.

"Community support for resuming American Eagle service
to Chicago has been very strong," said Peter Bowler,
president. "In particular, our thanks go to
Congressman James Oberstar for his efforts."

The Chisholm Democrat paved the way for American Eagle
to tap a $1 million federal subsidy to offset losses
during its first three years on the resumed route.
Airport officials expect the airline will use the
money in the first year, but should become profitable.

Duluth is among 34 communities to receive a U.S.
Department of Transportation grant to restore air
service. About 170 cities applied for the grant. As
part of the deal, Duluth pledged $400,000 of in-kind
donations that included travel commitments from
companies, lodging credits, training, promotion and
marketing.

If American Eagle still is losing money when the
subsidy runs out, the company could discontinue its
air service. The airline lost about $1.1 million the
last year it served Duluth.

A brief ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the
service will be held at Duluth International Airport
at 10:00 a.m. at the American Eagle gate. The carrier
has hired about 15 employees to staff the station,
many of whom are returning employees.

 

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