LVIA adds 2 nonstop daily flights to Washington, D.C.

Lehigh Valley International Airport is getting a new destination, and it’s one officials at the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority are excited about.

Starting Dec. 17, United Airlines will have two flights daily from ABE to Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport.

“Dulles remained on our target list, as this service had success at ABE in the past. Beyond the leisure or business travel, the opportunity for more connectivity via United Airlines continues to showcase your neighborhood airport’s role as a growing transportation asset,” said Thomas Stoudt, executive director of the airport authority.

This destination increases United’s options at ABE which currently include Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, which can be accessed through the United’s shuttle bus service.

Stoudt said the addition of the flights is exciting considering the state of the airline industry in the COVID-19 pandemic. “During a time of great uncertainty throughout the aviation industry, this news injects an immediate jolt of positive energy to air travelers in the Lehigh Valley region,” he said.

Prior to the pandemic, Stoudt noted that air travel was on the upswing at the airport. Last year the airport experienced its highest passenger traffic volume since 2004 with 911,970.

The daily nonstop flights are scheduled to depart ABE at 8:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. and will arrive at ABE at 12:11 p.m. and 6: 50 p.m.