Blountville, TN-  American Eagle Airlines will begin regional jet service between TRI and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) with two flights a day starting July 2. Eagle will operate the service with 44-seat Embraer ERJ-140 jets. 

Flights will depart TRI at 6:10 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Flights will depart Chicago at 12:50 p.m. and 8:25 p.m. and arrive in Tri-Cities at 3:40 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Chicago O'Hare is one of American Airlines's premier international gateways and provides convenient connections to American's extensive domestic network.

"This announcement is the culmination of several years of work to bring American Airlines to the Tri-Cities market," says Patrick Wilson, TCRA executive director. "It is through the partnership of the Airport rental car companies, Tailwinds Restaurant, Tri-Cities Aviation, the Regional Alliance for Economic Development and the business community as a whole that this service is possible."

"The Regional Alliance for Economic Development and our membership are pleased to be involved in the efforts to bring American Airlines service to our region.  Air service is vital to allow our region to compete in the global marketplace.  We are excited about American's new Chicago service and how it will benefit business passengers traveling in and out of our area," states Newt Raff, Chairman of the Regional Alliance for Economic Development.

"The addition of American Airlines to the Airport's current selection of carriers is a great opportunity for travelers in our region," says Wilson.  "It is important that our region support American, and all our current air carriers, by using flights from TRI.  Increased usage of the Airport will lead to more flights and cheaper fares."

Passengers can book flights directly from American Airlines website at http://www.aa.com,  with a travel agent, or on the airport's website www.triflight.com.

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