United sets nonstop D.C. flights

United Airlines announced Wednesday the first nonstop flights from Tucson International Airport to Washington, D.C., beginning this fall.

Demand by leisure and business travelers sparked the creation of the flight between Tucson and Dulles International Airport, airline and airport flight officials said.

Starting this fall, Tucson will also be served by nonstop flights to New York City on JetBlue Airways.

"I think we have covered some huge bases with these flights," said Alex Kovach, the Tucson Airport Authority's director of air service research and development.

United Flight 366 will depart Tucson at 9:35 a.m. and arrive at Dulles at 3:40 p.m. The returning flight, United 1199, will leave Washington at 5:05 p.m. and get into Tucson at 8:07 p.m.

The scheduled plane is an Airbus A319, which holds about 120 passengers, a United spokeswoman said. Tickets start at $337.10 for the round trip.

The flight begins service on Oct. 31 and is scheduled as a seasonal flight through April 23, Kovach said, but there is likely sufficient demand to continue the flight year-round.

Economic-development groups like Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc. have long advocated for nonstop flights to New York City and Washington. TREO officials lauded the arrival of both flights within a year.

"We have really seen in our research that (lack of) nonstop air service to and from Tucson was a real barrier for businesses," said Laura Shaw, spokeswoman for TREO. "It's a one-two punch for us."

The flight also arrives in time to connect with international flights to places in Europe including Paris, London and Munich, said Carol Phillips, director of marketing for the airport authority.

"The more connecting international flights, the better," Shaw said.

* Contact reporter Ken Sweet at 307-0579 or e-mail at ksweet@azstarnet.com

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