The first non-stop flight to NYC from EIA takes off

Edmonton – The first non-stop flight to New York City from the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) took flight Thursday morning.

The flight to the Newark Liberty International Airport, which is 30 kilometers from Manhattan, is now operating six times a week on a United Airbus A319 jet.

The non-stop flight will leave the EIA at 7:30 a.m. every day except Sunday, and the return flight will leave Newark at 8:00 p.m. every day except Saturday.

“Direct air service between Edmonton and the New York area increases Alberta’s connectivity to the entire globe. It opens up a world of possibilities for business – especially as we work to attract more visitors and potential investors to our province,” said Dr. Richard Starke, Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

Mayor Stephen Mandel was on the inaugural flight Thursday morning.

“I think it’s important because it simply opens up a new gateway. New York is an incredibly important financial market. Edmonton is a big financial centre,” said Mandel before the flight.

“For the entertainment dollar in Edmonton, people go to New York to travel to see plays and to do the things you do in New York.”

According to EIA, more than 44,000 passengers travelled between Edmonton and the New York area in 2012.

New York was EIA’s number one requested non-stop destination before United announced in December it would start serving the route in May 2013.

“Getting a direct flight to New York puts you on a whole different plain. The airlines start looking at you completely differently because New York is a major hub, a major centre, explained Reg Milley, EIA’s President & CEO.

For more information about Edmonton International Airport, visit http://www.flyeia.com.