American to add regional jet service from Tweed to Charlotte

The first American Airlines Canadair RJ 200 regional jet originating in Philadelphia lands at Tweed New Haven Airport in New Haven in this file photo taken on November 29, 2017. The first American Airlines Canadair RJ 200 regional jet originating in Philadelphia lands at Tweed New Haven Airport in New Haven in this file photo taken on November 29, 2017. Photo: File Photo / Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: File Photo / Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close American to add regional jet service from Tweed to Charlotte 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN — Tweed New Haven Regional Airport will gain its first new commercial destination since 2006 when American Airlines begins what initially will be weekly, nonstop service between New Haven and Charlotte, N.C., city and airport officials announced Monday.

American will add Saturday American Eagle regional jet flights between New Haven and Charlotte Douglas International Airport beginning Dec. 22, the Tweed New Haven Airport Authority said in a release.

American currently offers American Eagle regional jet service between Tweed (HVN) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) after upgrading from turboprop service last year.

Charlotte is the first regularly-scheduled commercial destination to be added at Tweed since Delta Air Lines ceased its Delta Connection service between New Haven and Cincinnati in 2006.

The new service, to be operated by PSA Airlines, will use the same 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 planes used for the Philadelphia service, officials said.

Charlotte is American’s second-largest hub, offering connections to 150 destinations, including many in Florida and the Caribbean. Connections to hundreds of additional destinations in more than 50 countries are available through Philadelphia.

Tickets for the new service are available now at www.flytweed.com and www.aa.com.

“We are thrilled that American is able to add another route at Tweed-New Haven on the existing runway,” said airport authority Executive Director Tim Larson.

“This represents an improved passenger experience for our customers and is a demonstration of American’s continued commitment to our growing market,” Larson said.

About 20 percent to 25 percent of the 1.4 million travelers within Tweed’s catchment area fly to Florida or the Caribbean “and Charlotte provides, through the American network, those destinations,” Larson said.

“So we’re very confident of this” service being successful, he said.

Mayor Toni N. Harp said the new flights will strengthen Tweed’s role as an economic driver for the region.

“American Airlines’ expanded commitment to Tweed-New Haven Airport is most-welcome news, and recognizes what has often been said about providing southern Connecticut travelers this local air travel option,” Harp said in the release.

“This new service, offering more people greater access to flights throughout the world, makes Tweed a stronger asset and a more convenient option for New Haven and the region,” Harp said.

“We are confident that the addition of this flight, with hopes for others to come, will solidify New Haven’s place as the transportation hub Connecticut needs to bring jobs to area residents,” she said.

“We’re excited to start the service,” said American spokeswoman Nichelle Tait. “We’re just really excited and happy to give you” additional options.

“We’re really excited because this is going complement the Philadelphia service,” Tait said.

Initially, the weekly flight from New Haven will depart at 9:50 a.m. and arrive in Charlotte at 11:58 a.m., Tait said. The flight from Charlotte will depart at 7:30 a.m. and arrive in New Haven at 9:20 a.m.

The service will begin as one flight per week on a trial basis “to see how the market responds ... and then we’ll see what happens,” she said. Any additional flights also would be subject to aircraft availability, Tait said.

The runway extension the airport currently is seeking, via a controversial bid to pave reinforced turf runway safety areas at either end of the main runway and use part of the added pavement for takeoffs, would “ensure continued operational reliability for American while also opening up Tweed to longer distance flights for the future,” the release said.

But that didn’t come into play for the Charlotte service and “we don’t need to pave the RSAs for this flight,” said Larson.

Ginny Kozlowski, CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of New Haven/REX Development, said, “The new service clearly demonstrates American’s confidence in the Greater New Haven market, but there is still more work to be done to strengthen Tweed and make it the economic engine that our region so desperately needs.

“Tweed’s growth is critical to helping businesses stay in Connecticut and to help attract new businesses from outside of Connecticut,” Kozlowski said.

Tweed’s only regularly scheduled commercial air service since 2001, with the exception of Delta Connection service to Cincinnati for 20 months from 2004 to early 2006, has been US Airways Express and later American Eagle service to and from Philadelphia. Travelers can connect there to hundreds of other destinations.

Tweed is located 15 minutes from downtown New Haven. It straddles the New Haven-East Haven line and is located in both municipalities, bordering both residential and commercial neighborhoods.

For more information visit www.flytweed.com.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com