Delta resumes direct flights to Atlanta from Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Delta Airlines has resumed direct flights to Atlanta from The Eastern Iowa Airport, the 11th non-stop destination offered by the regional airport.

Delta offered direct flights to Atlanta from Cedar Rapids from June 2006 through August 2009. The airline pulled the service after it merged with Northwest Airlines and made various changes throughout its system.

“There haven't been many airports this year that have been able to make an announcement about a new service, which makes the start of a Delta Atlanta flight a reason to celebrate,” Airport Director Tim Bradshaw said.

City leaders and airport officials on Wednesday expressed excitement over the possibilities the non-stop service can bring not only to the airport, but the Corridor as well.

“Businesses rely on local air service,” said Mayor Pro Tem Monica Vernon. “When new flights are introduced, it provides improved access, competition, convenience and time savings.”

Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the largest airport in the world by passenger traffic and number of landings and take-offs since 1999, serving 88 million passengers per year.

The first direct Delta flight from Cedar Rapids to Atlanta took off around 8 p.m. Tuesday. And while community leaders hope it gives the Corridor a financial boost, it's also going to cost the passengers.

Ticket prices booking through Delta online round trip are listed at around $840. The Quad City International Airport in Moline, Ill., has direct flights to Atlanta for around half the price.

Still, Bradshaw says all 50 seats on the first several flights are booked, and he's already looking toward future non-stop connections to other major cities.

“Atlanta was high on the list for a long time,” he said. “Now that we have Atlanta, (travelers) are asking for Washington and New York non-stop service.”

The Eastern Iowa Airport offers direct flights to Atanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Orlando, Phoenix-Mesa and Tampa-St. Petersburg.