More than a decade after the federal government put a halt to flights to Washington D.C. from Long Island MacArthur Airport, US Airways has returned to provide services for LI residents looking for a quick trip to the nation’s capital.
The airline said it is adding twice-daily non-stop flights from the Islip-run airport to Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. starting Sunday.
“We are excited to expand our service to customers traveling to and from our nation’s capital as well as increase jobs at Washington National Airport,” US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker, said in a statement.
Starting March 25, the airline will run two flights at 6:20 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. on a daily basis, as well as returning flights at 11:35 a.m. and 10 p.m., officials said.
“The decision to expand service at MacArthur to Washington, D.C. will be a boon for Long Island residents looking for more convenient air travel, a boon for local businesses, and a boon for economic development,” Sen. Chuck Schumer said in a statement.
Flights to Washington D.C. from LI’s only commercial airport were previously canceled amid fears following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
Islip and airport officials weren’t immediately available for comment.