City of Chicago and Virgin America Airlines Announce New Service from O'Hare
Mayor Richard M. Daley joined with Virgin America Airlines President and CEO David Cush and Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino to announce the airline will begin daily nonstop service from O'Hare International Airport to Los Angeles and San Francisco on May 25, 2011.
"In Chicago, we realize the critical role O'Hare has in the national aviation system.
That is why we are fully committed to bringing more airlines to Chicago and to investing
in O'Hare's infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century," Daley said
in a City Hall news conference.
Virgin America is a California-based airline that began operating in 2007. It has
been named "Best Domestic Airline" in the Condé Nast Traveler 2008, 2009 & 2010
Readers' Choice Awards and Travel + Leisure's 2008, 2009 & 2010 World's Best Awards.
"When more airlines compete, consumers tend to win - with lower fares and better
service," said Cush. "Mayor Daley and the airport have shown tremendous vision
by investing in O'Hare's future and by helping to open up access to new competition."
"We are pleased to welcome Virgin America's new service to O'Hare International
Airport," said Andolino. "As a new entrant carrier to O'Hare, Virgin America brings
new competition and service offerings to Chicago's market, and raises the bar for
airline passenger amenities and value."
Chicago-based Groupon Chief Operating Officer Rob Solomon also spoke at the news
conference. Virgin America is teaming up with Groupon to kick off the new service
with special savings on air fares to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Currently, O'Hare offers nonstop service to 198 cities worldwide, with 52 passenger
carriers operating out of 189 gates. With the addition of Virgin America, there
is now only one major domestic carrier not serving the Chicago market.
"Chicago's future economic development depends on bringing new business to Chicago.
With the new capacity created at O'Hare by the OMP, we are in a position to aggressively
add new airlines with a focus on international carriers, as well as new destinations
to our airports," Daley said. "We will continue to aggressively compete and capitalize
on new passenger and cargo carrier opportunities to attract new business and the
potential for additional passengers as well as visitors to our city."