Austin-Bergstrom Lands Coveted D.C. Route
May 16--Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has landed a nonstop route to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Airline access to Reagan National is tightly controlled because the airport is small and close to the major government agencies in the nation's capital.
Ten cities made bids to receive four open service slots for the airport, and Austin won one. Southwest Airlines said it expects to add the route to its service sometime this summer.
Several members of the Texas congressional delegation, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, supported the awarding of a flight to Austin.
Mayor Lee Leffingwell said, "The capital of Texas and the nation's capital have much in common that this will help facilitate, including high tech industry, academia, culture, tourism and, of course, government.
"The growing local economy relies on quality air service to foster business, government and leisure travel."
Reagan National becomes Austin's 40th nonstop destination. The Austin airport has experienced 27 consecutive months of passenger growth. The airport handled 9.1 million passengers last year.
Contact Kirk Ladendorf at 445-3622
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