May 28

May 28 American Airlines adds a fifth daily flight from Rochester to Chicago

(THE MED CITY BEAT) - The Rochester International Airport will add a fifth daily departure to Chicago O'Hare beginning Sept. 5.

Airport executives announced the additional flight on Thursday. The service will be provided by American Airlines, which already operates four daily flights from Rochester to the Windy City.

Delta will also increase its use of large regional gets during the peak travel time of July to mid-August. According to the airport, the larger aircraft means more seats available in the market and additional flights with the dual-class cabin, offering first class options.

“In 2014, Rochester travelers filled 84% of the airline seats offered at [the airport]," said Jack Penning, executive director of air service strategy and development at Sixel Consulting Group. "This is higher than virtually all upper Midwest peer markets and is a reflection of the strength of the local economy and local airline service."

Delta offers four daily departures to Minneapolis and Atlanta. It recently discontinued direct service from Rochester to Detroit.

The Rochester airport reported a 6 percent increase in passengers from 2013 (223,791) to 2014 (237,432), mostly due to the success of the Atlanta flight.