AUGUSTA - Augusta will be one of nine cities nationwide to receive service from Atlantic Southeast Airline's new 70-seat regional jets, company officials said Thursday.
The Delta Air Lines subsidiary released details about plans to acquire the Bombardier CRJ-700, which will become the largest regional jet in ASA's fleet. The company cited Augusta as one of several "growing markets."
"It's an important addition to the schedule, in that we're adding needed capacity on very popular afternoon flights," ASA spokesman Kent Landers said.
At Augusta Regional, the new 70-seat plane will replace a 50-seat regional jet currently scheduled in the late afternoon. The expanded flight is scheduled to depart Atlanta for Augusta at 4 p.m. and then leave for the return trip to Atlanta at 5:40 p.m. The change will take effect April 7.
On Jan. 16, ASA announced it was replacing a 30-seat turboprop morning flight at the airport with a 50-seat regional jet starting Feb. 10.
Airport spokeswoman Kathryn Solee said the larger planes would help the airport recover some of the seats it lost when Delta's 140-seat planes left indefinitely in December 2000.
"When Delta mainline pulled out, it really made a dent in our available seats," she said, "and every time ASA can put more seats back into the market, it's a good thing for travelers out of Augusta."
Delta is the nation's third-biggest carrier.
ASA officials will travel to Montreal to take delivery of their first CRJ-700 from the regional jet's manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace.
The other five cities slated to receive the new jets are Huntsville, Ala.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Toledo, Ohio; and Sarasota and Tallahassee, Fla.
Tuesday
January 7th, 2025
6:01PM
