Star Journal

Northwoods travelers who go through Chicago O’Hare airport will be able to fly directly to Rhinelander-Oneida County Airport this summer.

Airport director Matthew Leitner announced Tuesday that daily United Express jet service, operated by SkyWest Airlines, will run one daily round-trip flight between Rhinelander and Chicago July 1 to September 30.

“On behalf of Chairman Patrick Marquart, Commissioners Bradley Kowieski and Geoffrey Weller, I wish to extend our gratitude to SkyWest and United for demonstrating their strong commitment to the furtherance of commercial air service for Rhinelander and the surrounding Northwoods region,” Leitner said. “This is truly a dream realized and the culmination of a comprehensive effort involving many parties committed to our airport’s continued growth and success.”

“Whether travelers are heading to Chicago or beyond, these new flights are a great option,” said Greg Atkin, SkyWest’s managing director of Market Development. “Our passengers can also fly with confidence thanks to the layered approach to safety we have taken, which includes enhanced cleaning, mandatory face coverings and customer self-assessments with check-in.”

All United Express nonstop flights from Rhinelander will be operated by SkyWest Airlines. Flights are timed to provide maximum connection opportunities for both business and leisure travelers.

Tickets are expected to be available beginning this week.

Delta continues to operate two round-trip flights out of Rhinelander to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Leitner said Delta will increase that to four round trips on Saturdays, June 2 to August 30.