As passenger traffic continues to climb at Lehigh Valley International Airport, one airline plans to add non-stop service to Chicago.
The Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority said American Airlines would begin non-stop service to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport twice daily, starting in April 2019.
Currently, LVIA, based in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, has nonstop service to Chicago from United Airlines, according to Thomas Stoudt, executive director of LNAA.
“It just really gives our business travelers more options,” Stoudt said.
Looking at American Airlines’ routes and some of their hub locations, Stoudt said when they decide to add flights, those seats get filled, which speaks to the demand.
“It’s more of a strategic decision on American Airline’s part. What we are seeing is customers and passengers filling those seats when they add those flights.”
At LVIA, American Airlines provides daily service to Charlotte, N.C., and Philadelphia.
This year, the airline had a 21 percent passenger increase compared to 2017, according to the airport authority.
Since October 2017, LVIA reported 12 consecutive months of passenger increases because of air travelers taking advantage of more available seats in the market, Stoudt said.
