Travelers gain new options for Dallas trip

Feb. 15, 2013
American will operate the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet out of Brownsville.

Feb. 15--On Valentine's Day, the same day American Airlines and US Airways announced a merger creating the world's largest airline, Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport held an early-morning celebration to kick off a new 7 a.m. nonstop flight on American to the carrier's Dallas-Fort Worth hub.

The airline also added a 9:30 p.m. arrival from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Daily arrivals and departures on American now total three each. Larry Brown, the airport's aviation director, said the additional flights make flying in and out of Brownsville more convenient for business travelers.

"In Dallas they can connect to 250 cities in 50 countries, or if their business is in Dallas, they can come back to Brownsville on the other new American flight as late as 9:30 p.m., or on one of two earlier flights," he said.

The merger rescues American from bankruptcy and makes it part of the new big four of U.S. air carriers: Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, both of which have expanded through mergers of their own, and discount carrier Southwest Airlines.

Michael Jones, the airport's business development manager, noted that American's reorganization under bankruptcy had driven down labor costs and air fares substantially.

American will operate the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ-200 regional jet out of Brownsville.

United has also announced plans for an extra departure and arrival each day between Brownsville and its hub at Houston Intercontinental Airport, according to Brownsville airport officials.

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