Flights to Chicago

A coalition whose efforts helped add Atlanta and Boston as destinations out of Atlantic City International Airport in 2009 is again targeting Chicago as a primary destination this year.
Air service to the Windy City has been on the top of the group’s list for two years.The South Jersey Transportation Authority, or SJTA, which runs the airport, and the gaming and nongaming entities that make up the rest of the coalition want service to Chicago by the end of the year.

SJTA Executive Director Bart Mueller said his agency discussed Chicago service with Spirit Airlines, Atlantic City International’s longtime carrier, and AirTran Airways, which started service at the facility in June. The SJTA also has talked with Texas based Southwest Airlines about Chicago service, he said.Those airlines are investigating whether the Chicago service is viable, he said.Airline officials could not be reached for comment.Southwest flew out of Atlantic City International during the recent snowstorms, but not as part of new service.

Mueller said the airline bused passengers from Philadelphia International Airport to Atlantic City International when the Philadelphia facilities were closed because of the bad weather. The Southwest flights then left from Atlantic City International, he said.The coalition was born out of the economic downturn that hurt Atlantic City’s gaming industry. Coalition members, ranging from gaming organizations to hotels to chambers of commerce, decided that adding more service at Atlantic City International was one way to bring in more business.

Chicago, Atlanta and Boston were the three targeted markets. Spirit began service to Boston in May, and Mueller said the airline will add a second daily flight to that city this May. AirTran began service to Atlanta in June.Also last year, Canada-based WestJet began service to Toronto.
Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce President Joseph Kelly said the Chicago service remains crucial, as it opens the area to potential tourist business from the Midwest.That’s important to us, he said.Should the Chicago service begin, Kelly said, the region has to be ready to successfully market itself to Midwest residents.

When WestJet started its Toronto service, the airline began a major marketing program that highlighted Atlantic City and related attractions and events. The Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority brought travel writers from Canada to the city in hopes of getting good coverage, which could stimulate interest from travelers.While the Chicago service remains a priority, the SJTA also is talking to other airlines about service.Those airlines include JetBlue, American Eagle, Continental, ExpressJet Airlines and United Express, SJTA spokeswoman Sharon Gordon said.