GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY- Regional leaders say that new nonstop routes from Cherry Capital Airport to San Fransico and Los Angeles could open the door to new development.
“Oftentimes, it’s one of the first questions a business will ask when they’re considering moving here,” Warren Call of Traverse Connect said. “What’s the access out to the rest of the world?”
Beginning June 19, 2027, part of the answer will be seasonal nonstop United Airlines flights from Cherry Capital Airport to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The routes will connect the airport to all seven of United’s hubs.
“Being able to talk about having seven direct flights from United and a growing airport that’s got a big expansion underway is a hugely beneficial thing,” Call said. “It’s a huge selling point,”
Traverse Connect and Traverse City Tourism both put local money toward the federal grant behind the routes.
“We’re really excited about our professional service firms that have executives that already travel all over the country,” Call said. “Having more access for them will not only help them get hopefully more clients, more vendors, more connections for their business.”
He said the flights will also help local compani...