American Eagle Airlines announces new double daily jet service to Chicago O’Hare from the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

Waterloo Region – Today American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, announced that they will launch round-trip service between Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Waterloo Region starting June 14, 2012. The 13 round-trip flights per week will be operated with 50-seat Embraer Regional Jets.

 The new daily air service from Waterloo Region to Chicago is the result of many months of ongoing discussions with American Airlines and the local business community. 

 “We are thrilled that American Airlines is coming to Waterloo Region.  This new all jet service will provide our community with a Chicago same day business travel option and access to destinations around the world,” said Ken Seiling, Waterloo Regional Chair.  “We believe this service will make flying more convenient for everyone and will also have the added benefit of encouraging investment and jobs in our community.”

 As one of the world's largest airlines, American's global network strengthens economies worldwide. American contributes directly by creating jobs and paying salaries, paying taxes and fees to governments, investing in transportation infrastructure, and supporting local suppliers, who in turn employ local workers. In addition, American Airlines in-kind and fundraising activities - as a company and through their employees' efforts - have a significant economic impact on the local organizations and causes that they support.

 "We're pleased to introduce scheduled jet service to Waterloo Region from our cornerstone hub in Chicago," said Gary Foss, Managing Director – Network Planning for American Airlines. "This schedule will allow customers to make a day trip to Chicago for business or connect through this key international gateway to destinations throughout the American Airlines and oneworld® global network.”

Chicago O’Hare to Waterloo Region

Waterloo Region to Chicago O’Hare

* Flight begins June 15, 2012

“Daily jet service to Chicago is what our business community asked us for, and we are pleased to be here today announcing just that,” said Chris Wood, Airport General Manager at the Region of Waterloo International Airport.  “This service by American Airlines, along with their oneworld® partner airlines open greater access to the World from Waterloo Region.  There are 690,000 passengers a year travelling between Waterloo Region and the United States that will now be able to fly through Chicago to cities like San Diego or Salt Lake City or San Antonio, and enjoy the convenience of flying from home.”  

On November 29^th, 2011, American Airlines initiated a restructuring process which will ensure its profitability, operating flexibility and long term financial strength.   The Region of Waterloo is confident that American Airlines will emerge from its restructuring well positioned to continue to serve our community.   For more information on American Airlines restructuring visit: http://www.aa.com/restructuring 

Choose the local alternative!  The Region of Waterloo International Airport is easy to navigate with: complimentary baggage carts; FREE high-speed wireless internet; licensed departure lounge café, operated by Edelweiss (valid boarding pass required); National and AVIS car rentals available on-site; and reasonable parking rates.  No traffic jams or lost vehicles, just convenient and friendly air service.

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 Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF) is a full service certified facility that supports commercial, corporate and general aviation and is owned and operated by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Scheduled air service is provided by: WestJet, non-stop daily to Calgary with connections to other great cities; Bearskin Airlines, multiple flights daily to Ottawa and Montreal: and now starting in June 2012 American Airlines, twice daily to Chicago with connections to over 140 destinations worldwide.  Sunwing Airlines provide weekly non-stop service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic from mid-December through mid-March. For more information contact your travel agent, or visit www.waterlooairport.ca.

 American Eagle – named Best Regional Airline in North America by the 2011 World Airline Awards – operates more than 1,500 daily flights to over 170 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection^® carrier serve 260 airports in 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com^®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld^® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

AMR Corporation, and certain of its United States-based subsidiaries, including American Airlines, Inc. and AMR Eagle Holding Corporation, on Nov. 29 filed voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. More information about the Chapter 11 filing is available on the Internet at http://aa.com/restructuring.

For more information, please contact:

Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF)

Sandra McAuley, Marketing & Communications Supervisor

Phone:  519-648-2256 ext. 8504 / Toll Free:  1-866-648-2256 ext. 8504

Email: smcauley@regionofwaterloo.ca

American Eagle
Ed Martelle, Corporate Communications
Fort Worth, Texas
Phone:  817-967-1577
Email:  mediarelations@aa.com