A proposed nonstop flight between Augusta and Chicago has received federal financial support, but Augusta travelers cannot book the route yet.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved an $800,000 grant for Augusta Regional Airport. The funding is intended to support direct flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport through revenue guarantees and marketing.
What has been approved for the Augusta-to-Chicago route?
The federal government has approved an $800,000 grant for Augusta Regional Airport.
The money is intended to reimburse approved expenses connected with revenue guarantees and marketing for nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare. The airport must first sign a grant agreement with the Department of Transportation.
After the airport spends approved money on the project, the grant would reimburse those costs.
How would a revenue guarantee work?
A revenue guarantee could help offset losses if the new route is not immediately profitable.
The grant also could reimburse marketing intended to reach travelers who currently use other airports for trips to Chicago.
Chicago is Augusta passengers’ fourth-largest travel market, according to the grant.
Where can Augusta passengers currently fly nonstop?
Augusta Regional Airport offers nonstop flights to several cities, including Atlanta, New York, Washington, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Philadelphia, Detroit and Minneapolis.
Chicago would become another nonstop destination if the proposed service begins.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information-gathering, review, editing, and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta may get nonstop Chicago flights. Here’s what to know
