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United to add direct flight from Syracuse to Denver in June

Ellen Abbott
/
WRVO News
United's Bare Antelos speaks Thursday at Hancock Airport in Syracuse, where United will add a direct flight to Denver in June

Travelers who fly out of Syracuse’s Hancock International Airport have a new way to get out west. United Airlines has added a direct flight from Syracuse to a major western hub.

CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson said surveys ask the business community each year what kind of air they want to see out of Syracuse.

"And for at least five years running, the number one destination our business community has asked for is direct service to Denver," Simpson said.

And now they have it. United announced it will commence daily non-stop flights from Syracuse to Denver and back starting June 6. Bare Antolos, United Airlines sales manager in Upstate New York, said the airline wanted to tap into that upstate need to travel to Denver and points beyond, as well as offer Syracuse as a destination.

"Bringing people from the west coast especially the unique destinations that we serve into Denver that we don’t go into a hub like Chicago and Newark, will make a huge difference in how we can get people here to Syracuse, and that’s where the opportunities open up," said Antelos.

According to Simpson, this is the first year-round, mid-sized destination in the northeast with non-stop flights from Denver. United is also expanding service in other regional airports in Upstate New York, including Ithaca’s service to Washington D.C. this spring.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.