By RUTH LANG
Special to The Press-News
The Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) celebrated the addition of nonstop flights to Washington, D.C., with an inaugural flight on Jan. 25 and a community celebration on Jan. 26.
"What a great start to the new year," Kristin Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer said at US Airways Gate 4, which was festooned in red, white and blue. "I cannot believe that in these economic times we're actually adding a route."
Airport officials learned in November the U.S. Department of Transportation had granted CAK two coveted slots to fly to and from Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA). The inaugural flight to DCA departed CAK at 6:20 a.m. Sunday with nine passengers.
Airport officials were quick to point out that although nine passengers may seem an amount inadequate to fill the 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft, booking had only been open for two weeks.
"I am not worried at all about the popularity of this flight," Van Auken said, adding the flight to D.C. has generated 200 bookings since Jan. 10.
"As a newly-elected member of Congress, I look forward to using this new direct flight route to easily and quickly get back to my district each weekend," said Rep. John Boccieri, one of the speakers featured at Monday's event.
"CAK has and will continue to be an economic engine for northeast Ohio, and I look forward to working with the airport leadership team, others in the northeastern Ohio delegation, and economic development and civic leaders in the very near future to keep our skies safe and keep our passengers moving safely," said Boccieri, who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Reps. Tim Ryan, Betty Sutton and retired Congressman Ralph Regula also emphasized the economic advantages of the airport and the newest flight addition.
"We could call this today a dedication called J-O-B-S," Regula said.
Historical guest Abraham Lincoln also made an appearance.
"I am here today to join in your celebration as history is made," he said. "Now you can get to Washington much faster than I did in 1861."
Kathy Carlton, sales manager for US Airways, said flights depart CAK at 6:20 a.m. and arrive at DCA at 7:38 a.m. or depart DCA at 7:59 p.m. and return to CAK at 9:21 p.m.
"Today we celebrate a dream fulfilled by gaining not only our highest-requested route to D.C. but direct access to our nation's capital," said Rick McQueen, president and CEO. "Washington Reagan was a vital missing link in the offerings from CAK and now mortheast Ohioans will be able to reach this destination without a long drive to a distant airport. Of course, we have to thank US Airways, the U.S. Department of Transportation, our hard-working congressional delegation and the whole community for helping make this dream a reality."
To further celebrate the new service, the airport selected Jim McFadden of Olmsted Falls and his 11-year-old sister, Julia, as winners of the "Dream Day in DC" contest. The siblings flew on the inaugural flight to live out their dream day in DC. Jim's winning entry said he wanted to show his sister "our nation's capital and hopefully inspire her to become as excited about the democratic process and rich history we have here in these United States as I am."
In order to promote the nonstop flights, US Airways is running an introductory fare of $79 until Feb. 28 on flights booked through May 20.
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