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American Airlines Returns to South Bend International With New Daily Flights

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You will soon have 93,000 additional reasons to make South Bend International Airport your airport of choice. That’s how many new additional seats will fly into and out of the air field every year beginning in early June thanks to the arrival on the air strip of American Airlines. The first four daily non-stop flights will be to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Even Indiana’s Governor was on hand for the release of the major news this afternoon in South Bend.

St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board President David Sage and Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced that South Bend International is getting bigger with the addition of American Airlines, effective June 7, 2018. On that date, twice-daily service will begin to two American hubs – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

Flights will depart daily from SBN to DFW at 7:00am and 2:09pm. They will return to SBN daily from DFW at 4:13pm and 9:53pm. Flights to CLT will leave SBN daily at 8:30am and 5:05pm returning to South Bend each day at 1:25pm and 9:40pm.

The flights will be operated by American Eagle using CRJ-700 regional jet aircraft with dual-class cabins and 64 seats. Tickets go on sale online on Monday, January 22 at www.aa.com.

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Governor Holcomb told a sizable crowd on hand today for the announcement, “As our presence in the global economy continues to flourish, it’s important that Indiana is connected with the rest of the world.” He quickly added, “Today’s news is a big win for the entire state, and we’re excited to buckle up with these two new flights in South Bend. More direct flights at Indiana’s regional airports enhance economic opportunities, livability and connectivity for the business community and Hoosier travelers.”

St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners President Andrew Kostielney told the crowd today that because of the announcement, “There are 93,000 more reasons to come to St. Joseph County, Indiana, that’s the number of seats on these two routes over the course of a full year.” He adds, “Not only can we access two of the largest growing markets in the country, we also give them access to St. Joseph County and can bring them here to spend their money, in fact, as a result of this announcement, $20-million in new revenue will accrue to our community and that’s fantastic.”

Mike Daigle is the Executive Director at SBN. He confirms, “Today’s announcement is many years in the making.” He adds, “We are thrilled that American Airlines is returning to South Bend with not just one route, but two. Without the Governor’s initiatives to make air service development a priority, Indiana’s legislators, and the support of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, we would not be here today. This is a win for the South Bend region and a win for the State of Indiana.”

In addition to Sage and Governor Holcomb, American Airlines Senior Consultant/Government Affairs Dale Morris, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners President Andrew Kostielney, and South Bend Regional Chamber President Jeff Rea all took part in the announcement that took place at the airport this afternoon.

South Bend International Airport’s four air carriers provide nonstop flights to twelve cities:  Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York City/Newark, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections world-wide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air, rail and bus passengers each year. According to the 2012 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, South Bend International’s total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $1.7 billion.

For additional information, you can log onto www.FlySBN.com or get social with the airport on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Twitter (@SBNairport) or Instagram (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the South Bend region.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) leads the state of Indiana’s economic development efforts, helping businesses launch, grow and locate in the state. Governed by a 15-member board chaired by Governor Holcomb, the IEDC manages many initiatives, including performance-based tax credits, workforce training grants, innovation and entrepreneurship resources, public infrastructure assistance, and talent attraction and retention efforts. For more information about the IEDC, you can find them online at www.iedc.in.gov.

In the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb is at the mic flanked on the left side of the photo by South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Dale Morris from American Airlines and on the right side by St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners President Andrew Kostielney, St. Joseph County Airport Authority Board President David Sage, and South Bend Regional Chamber President Jeff Rea. (moving from the outside in).