SHREVEPORT, La. — Travelers in Shreveport can now fly to Chicago without a stop. United Airlines began a daily, year-round route linking Shreveport Regional Airport with O’Hare, Chicago’s main airport, on Monday morning.
The new route gives Shreveport its 10th nonstop destination. Chicago is also the third city United serves from the airport, joining the carrier’s existing flights to Denver and Houston.
It has been more than 18 years since anyone could board a nonstop flight from Shreveport to Chicago, according to the Shreveport Airport Authority, which runs the airport.
For people heading beyond Chicago, the United hub at O’Hare opens onward connections to more than 220 cities, and 47 of those are international.
The service is aimed at residents and businesses across Northwest Louisiana and the wider Ark-La-Tex, who until now had to change planes to reach one of the busiest business and travel centers in the country.
Money from RASA, the Ark-La-Tex group known formally as the Regional Air Service Alliance that backs new air service, helped land the route. The alliance has now helped bring six new routes to Shreveport.
On departure boards and booking sites, the new route shows up as SHV to ORD, the codes for the Shreveport and O’Hare airports.
Larry Blackwell Jr., who directs airports for the authority, said better air service helps the local business community, draws visitors and makes travel easier for people who live in the region. He also thanked United and the alliance for their investment.
Section: More Shreveport LA business news
Filed under: Shreveport LA Business News
