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Rapid City Welcomes American Eagle Airlines

RAPID CITY, S.D. (4/6/10) – With the whoosh of water cannons, Rapid City Regional Airport celebrated its new partnership with American Eagle Airlines today as American Eagle’s inaugural flight from Chicago arrived this morning. A flight from Dallas-Fort Worth - a completely new destination for Rapid City – followed in the afternoon.

American Eagle, a wholly owned affiliate of American Airlines, will serve Rapid City with daily year-around flights to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and seasonal flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks welcomed the new airline as an important step in the city’s continuing growth as the region’s economic hub. “Rapid City Regional Airport is such an important part of our economy, and the addition of American Eagle Airlines will only strengthen our position. I’m delighted that American Eagle has chosen Rapid City as its new destination,” Hanks said.

Airport Director Cameron Humphres said he believes the new partnership with American Eagle and American Airlines will be successful. “The public response to the new, nonstop jet service to two of American’s largest hubs has been extremely enthusiastic. The addition of daily, direct flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago underscores the continuing strength of our market,” he said.

The inaugural arrival 50-passenger Embraer ERJ-145 was welcomed with a water-cannon salute from airport fire trucks as it taxied to the terminal.

Inside, a brief ceremony marked the occasion with comments by Hanks, Humphres and Gary Foss, Vice-President of Planning and Marketing for American Airlines.
The year-round flight to Dallas/Fort Worth will arrive at Rapid City Regional Airport daily at 1:40 p.m. and depart at 2:10 p.m. The Chicago O’Hare direct connection will be offered seasonally through October, with arrivals at 9:20 a.m. and departures at 9:45 a.m.

Travelers from western South Dakota and surrounding states will benefit from direct service to Dallas-Fort Worth, Humphres said. The Texas airport is the largest hub for American Airlines, which serves 250 cities in 40 countries. The Black Hills visitor industry is excited as well, he added, because the Dallas hub will provide easier access for national and international travelers. In addition, Air Force personnel at Ellsworth Air Force Base frequently travel to Texas. Ellsworth and Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas, together house the nation’s B-1 Lancer Bomber fleet.

“We’re delighted to add year-round service to South Dakota from our largest hub in Dallas/Fort Worth,” said Gary Foss, Vice President of Planning and Marketing for American. “Visitors from around the globe will now have greater access to the state’s exquisite natural beauty and powerful Black Hills landmarks such as Mount Rushmore.”

About American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle operates more than 1,500 daily flights to nearly 160 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American Airlines offers 3,400 flights to 250 cities daily.

About Rapid City Regional Airport
Each year, Rapid City Regional Airport serves more than half a million passengers from western South Dakota, eastern Wyoming and parts of Nebraska, Montana and North Dakota. Five airlines serve Rapid City Regional, with direct nonstop flights to Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Salt Lake City, Mesa-Phoenix, Las Vegas and Dallas.

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CONTACT:
Cameron Humphres
Executive Director
Rapid City Regional Airport
(605)-393-2850