American Airlines will end its nonstop service between Lincoln and Chicago in April. Lincoln Airport Marketing Director Rachel Barth says American notified the airport late last week that the Chicago route would be among the cuts.
“They are cutting routes across their network, mostly due to the FAA cuts and issues in Chicago,” Barth tells KLIN News. “They’re also looking at sites that maybe are not filling up quite as fast, and they’re also looking at fuel costs since those have doubled.”
Barth says the American flight has been popular, but its schedule was not ideal, with an early morning departure and a late evening return. The American service is expected to continue through early April, allowing passengers to keep spring break travel plans. Barth says passengers booked on flights after the service ends will be eligible for refunds.
United Airlines will continue offering service between Lincoln and Chicago more than five times a day, depending on the season. Barth says she expects United could increase its frequency after American ends its service.
“If you are looking at going to Chicago after April, we have those five flights daily on United,” Barth said. Despite the route cut, Barth says the relationship between Lincoln Airport and American Airlines remains strong, and she is optimistic about the airline’s other service from Lincoln.
American will continue service between Lincoln and Dallas-Fort Worth as well as new seasonal daily service to Phoenix beginning December 17.