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Worcester – Local, state, and federal elected officials joined Massport and the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Aug 1. in a celebration to kick off Delta Air Lines’ service to Worcester Regional Airport (ORH). The new service allows residents and businesses in Central Massachusetts to connect to over 130 destinations worldwide through Delta’s Detroit hub.
“I am so excited to see Delta Air Lines’ first plane to Detroit arrive in Worcester this week. Worcester Regional Airport continues to serve as a catalyst for economic growth here in Worcester and bring millions of dollars-worth of new opportunities to businesses and travelers throughout our region,” said Congressman James McGovern (D-MA). “I am so grateful to Massport and to our entire team of local, state, and federal partners who have worked so hard to make this day a reality.”
Delta will now provide the 5th daily roundtrip service and 3rd hub airport from Worcester, with its flight to Detroit. JetBlue offers flights to New York’s JFK International Airport, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, and Orlando International Airport, and American Airlines flies to Philadelphia International Airport.
“I am pleased to celebrate Delta’s new service to Detroit from Worcester Regional Airport and look forward to seeing its continued impact on the local economy in Central Massachusetts,” said Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. “The continued progress and development made through this partnership with Delta Air Lines will allow the region further growth as a transportation hub.”
Over the past 9 years, the passenger volume at ORH has more than doubled. In FY2019, which ended in June, Worcester Airport served nearly 170,000 passengers. Earlier this year, Massport launched a $300,000 marketing campaign with a goal to increase the passenger volume to 400,000 annually within the next five years. The campaign includes billboards, radio, and social media ads intended to drive awareness about the airport’s ease of use, affordable parking options, connections and flight offerings that can benefit business commuters and leisure travelers.
“This is another big step in the revitalization of Worcester Regional Airport. The Delta flights add more than just a destination, they open up the mid-west and west for the region’s business and leisure traveler,” said Massport Board Chairman and Worcester County Sheriff Lew Evangelidis.
Since Massport took ownership of the airport in 2010, the Authority has invested more than $100 million in improvements, including in a Category III Instrument Landing System, completed in 2018. Starting this week, two new jet bridges are being installed, doubling the number to 4. These investments will allow ORH to accommodate more flights and serve more passengers.
During a reception at the Worcester Art Museum last night, a cultural connection between Worcester and Detroit was highlighted. As a symbolic gesture of friendship to Michigan’s biggest city, the Worcester Art Museum announced that one of its French masterpieces, “The Brooding Woman” by Paul Gauguin, will travel to the Detroit Institute of Arts next spring. In return, the Detroit museum will loan Vincent Van Gogh’s “The Postman” to the Worcester museum. The Worcester Art Museum is also offering free admission to all ORH passengers with a Delta boarding pass for trips to and from Detroit during the month of August.
For more information visit https://www.massport.com/worcester-airport/
