DECATUR -- Air service to Chicago will return to Decatur Airport in February, Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced today.
The deal calls for daily flights to Chicago's Midway Airport from airports in Decatur, Quincy and Marion, according to a news release from the governor's office.
The airports today offer air service only to St. Louis. Air service to Chicago from Decatur stopped in 1999.
"Increasing travel options between Chicago and downstate communities will boost our case as we continue urging businesses to look at expanding and locating in Illinois," Blagojevich said in a prepared statement.
"Just this week, we doubled the number of state-sponsored Amtrak trains, and now we're bringing back air service to Chicago for these three airports. Having these options is good for business, it's good for families and it's good for anyone traveling in Illinois."
The deal is funded through the state I-Fly program.
Taxpayers subsidize the $1.65 million program to bring Chicago air service back to the three downstate airports.
Under the program, the Illinois Department of Transportation provides grants to help underserved airports. Funds will guarantee revenue to Air Midwest Inc. for each flight. The local airports must provide a 20 percent match.
"I am very pleased to see this improvement in air service," said state Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville, in the news release. "Having additional flights will make Decatur and the surrounding area more attractive to employers.
"Coupled with local efforts, it could go a long way toward improving our economy and building our job base."
Air Midwest Inc. will begin service to Chicago on Feb. 1.
Three round-trips will be offered between Decatur Airport and Midway Airport on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; two round-trips will be offered Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. One round-trip will be on Saturday.
Turboprop planes can carry 19 passengers per flight.
"The people of Central Illinois expect their lawmakers to fight for their needs and concerns, especially when it comes to making sure we get our fair share of our tax dollars," said state Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mount Zion, in the news release.
"Officials from the Decatur Airport and Decatur Chamber of Commerce asked me to help secure funding for this new air service, so I'm excited that our work on behalf of local residents has paid off.
"I am hopeful that this new service will help create jobs and provide an additional boost to our local economy."
Copyright (c) 2006, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill.
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