American Airlines launching new SGF flight tomorrow

Starting tomorrow, Springfield-Branson National Airport customers will have direct access to Charlotte, N.C.

Announced this summer, American Airlines plans to host its inaugural flight at 1:30 p.m. to Charlotte Douglas International Airport, according to a news release.

With the addition, the airport known by its SGF service code would offer 11 new nonstop destinations and an average of 25 additional daily departures. Through the Charlotte hub, SGF customers would have access to New York City, Philadelphia, Orlando, Fla., Pittsburgh, Boston and Washington, D.C.

The local airport, which recorded a 7.7 percent increase in traffic to 686,211 passengers through September, projects 914,000 for the year with the help of the Charlotte flights. That would beat a previous high of 888,738 set in 2005, according to the release.

“The Charlotte service on American should increase the total passenger count by approximately 36,000 in 2016,” said Michael Boyd, SGF’s air service consultant, in the release. “If other Springfield air service stays the same or increases, it’ll be another record year.”

SGF also flies Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.