United discontinuing nonstop service between RST and Chicago

Starting in September, United Airlines will no longer offer nonstop service between Rochester International Airport and Chicago O’Hare.

United cited low passenger volumes in making the decision. The airline has been offering service from RST to Chicago since 2017.

“The air service industry continues to be impacted by the pandemic,” said RST spokesperson Tiana O’Connor. “Essentially all airports across the country have had service reduced as airlines have cut capacity to meet demand, that could be a loss of a route or reductions in daily frequencies.”

Despite the loss of the United flight, American Airlines will continue to offer three daily departures to Chicago. O’Connor also left open the opportunity that additional service could come back in the future.

“We know demand will return in the future and we look forward to increased capacity as the airlines reinstate it,” said O’Connor.

Last month, RST served 75 percent of passengers (all airlines) in comparison to July 2019. O’Connor said while demand is being led by leisure travelers and those with essential needs, international travel and business-related travel “have been and will continue to be slow to return.”

One flight that continues to see demand, according to O’Connor, is the route to Denver, which United operates through a partnership with SkyWest. Its currently the airport’s best performing flight.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.