Delta Connection Adds C.R.-Atlanta Service

By Karen Mracek, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Feb. 25–CEDAR RAPIDS — Delta Connection Carrier Atlantic Southeast Airline will offer new daily service between Atlanta and The Eastern Iowa Airport beginning June 8, airport officials announced Friday.

The service will depart Cedar Rapids at 6:30 a.m. Central Standard Time and arrive in Atlanta at 9:28 Eastern Standard Time. The return flight will depart Atlanta at 8:05 p.m. EST and arrive in Cedar Rapids at 9:05 p.m. CST.

“We have many corridor companies with business in Atlanta, and this option out of their home airport will save business people time and money,” airport director Dan Mann said.

This flight will give The Eastern Iowa Airport 10 non-stop destinations, the most of any airport in Eastern Iowa. Air service to large markets is a priority for businesses that are looking to locate here, said Dennis Jordan, vice president of project development for Priority One.

Most of the interest in the flight has come from business travelers in the area, interested in reaching the Southeast. “Our business demand has been growing for another flight to this major market,” Mann said. “Now was the time.”

Delta, which offers three daily non-stop flights from Cedar Rapids to Cincinnati, decided to add this flight seven days a week, without incentive from the airport commission, Mann said. Delta is headquartered in Atlanta.

The success of the current flights from Cedar Rapids might have contributed to Delta’s decision.

Passenger traffic returned to pre-9/11 levels with a record 1,004,034 travelers in 2005.

“Delta knew our market and our revenue stream,” Mann said.

No price for the flight was announced, but airport officials expect it to be competitive with other airports in the area. The flight will utilize a 50-passenger CRJ200 jet.

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