CLEVELAND — Cleveland Hopkins International Airport revealed Thursday morning that new service from Alaska Airlines with nonstop flights to Seattle will be available starting in 2022. The new flight options will begin with service starting June 16.
Flights are now available for booking HERE.
Airport officials had teased the news as a "significant announcement regarding future airport operations."
Robert Kennedy, director of Port Control at the Cleveland Airport System, said this service will add an estimated economic impact of $100 million "that our airport provides to the communities we serve."
"Clevelanders love to travel, and today’s announcement is a testament to that fact," Kennedy added.
With the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions happening Saturday, there are many people flying into Cleveland. Whether it's their first time here or a repeat visitor, the airport is their first glimpse into the city
So, how is Cleveland Hopkins doing? The passengers we spoke with all give the airport high marks for all the changes they've been making as part of their 20 year "masterplan."
"The airport plan for Hopkins doesn't just include the airport," Richard Mangrum, aeronautics professor at Kent State University, explained. "It includes parking, it includes roadways, includes access and gate expansion."
Mangrum has been impressed with the progress and says announcements like Alaska Airlines moving in show carriers are impressed as well.
"Hopkins has nearly 160 daily nonstop flights right now to about 60 different destinations," he said. "That's a respectable number, and they've added. It's kind of an endorsement of what's going on at the airport when you see new airlines showing up."
Alaska Airlines also announced they will add a second daily roundtrip flight between Seattle and both Cincinnati and Columbus starting June 16.
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated airport article on Oct. 26, 2021.