seal  Purdue News
____

July 28, 2003

Airline cancels midmorning flights in and out of Purdue Airport

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – AmericanConnection has announced it will cut two daily flights between the Purdue University Airport and St. Louis, effective Aug. 23.

Airport director Betty Stansbury said airline officials have decided to eliminate flight No. 5437, which arrives in West Lafayette at 10:02 a.m., and flight No. 5438, which departs West Lafayette at 10:22 a.m. The eliminations will affect weekday service only.

The announcement is part of a larger set of flight cancellations to reduce operating costs for the regional airline, which is owned by Corporate Airlines, a regional partner of American Airlines.

Stansbury said she is disappointed, but understands the need for the financial decision.

"I hope the community will continue to support AmericanConnection's remaining two arrivals and departures," she said. "For convenience, free parking, short security screening lines and one of the fastest baggage claim services in the country, our hometown airport is still a great value for customers."

Passengers with tickets on the midmorning flights should contact their travel agent or the airline for rebooking.

Corporate Airlines operates daily non-stop flights as AmericanConnection between Smyrna, Tenn.; Nashville; Atlanta; and St. Louis. In addition, the company provides service in the Midwest as AmericanConnection between St. Louis and several destinations, including West Lafayette, as American Airlines' regional partner. The airline began operation at the Purdue University Airport in December.

The Purdue Airport, located on the West Lafayette campus, was the first university-owned airport in the nation.

Writer: Matt Holsapple, (765) 494-2073, mholsapple@purdue.edu

Source: Betty Stansbury, (765) 743-3442, bmstansbury@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


* To the Purdue News and Photos Page