RST to add nonstop service to Denver

Rochester International Airport now has a nonstop connection to the Rockies. 

On Monday, RST announced it would add nonstop service to Denver International Airport via United Airlines. Denver becomes the fourth destination RST offers nonstop service to, in addition to international airports in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago O’Hare, and Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta.

Before Monday’s announcement, RST did not offer any flights to Western ‘hub’ airports after losing service to Las Vegas. In recent months, RST had been looking to resume service out west, notably receiving $750,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure a Western hub. On Thursday, the airport received that money — earmarked for a “revenue guarantee and marketing program” to solidify service to Denver.

Denver’s geographical location makes it an ideal connecting location for Mayo Clinic’s ‘destination’ patients from the West Coast, as well as travelers between the Arizona and Rochester campuses. Steve McNeill, chief planning officer for Mayo Clinic, said Monday the Denver flight could be the beginning of more flight offerings to come.

“At Mayo Clinic, this is really important to our patients and our staff,” said McNeill. “This is very important to our commitment of being the premier destination medical center and a premier destination medical community. We will continue to invest in this market and make sure these routes are sustainable, and look for future routes to serve you as well.”

The first flight to Denver will take off October 1. Additionally, RST announced United Airlines would resume its service to Chicago O’Hare on October 1, after ceasing service in the spring as a result of Covid-19.

Cover photo: File / Unsplash