Rochester International Airport receives federal grant to recruit air service

Rochester, MN (February 20, 2020) – Rochester International Airport (RST) has been awarded
a Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant from the Department of
Transportation. The $750,000 grant is to be utilized to recruit new nonstop service to a western
hub from RST.

“We are grateful to have received this grant from the Department of Transportation” said John
Reed, RST’s executive director. “Thank you to the regional businesses that offered support in
our application for this grant.”

Receiving the federal grant is not a guarantee of new air service, but is a resource the community
can use for air service recruitment. Airport officials are continually in discussion with many
airlines about adding new service at RST. Ultimately the airlines make the decisions on what
routes they will serve.

The region has increased utilization of the airport with over 100 businesses committing to Fly
Local and marking record passenger numbers in recent years. Continued utilization of RST helps
demonstrate to airline planning departments there is a strong demand for air service in
Rochester.

A SCASDP grant was awarded to RST in 2012, which allowed for the successful recruitment of
nonstop service to Delta’s hub in Atlanta. The Atlanta service is successfully operating with two
flights a day from RST.

Rochester International Airport
Rochester International Airport (RST) is owned by the City of Rochester and operated by the
Rochester Airport Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mayo Clinic. The Rochester
International Airport is served daily by United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines,
which collectively offer 13 flights each day to Atlanta, Chicago, and Minneapolis. RST
accommodates over 370,000 passengers annually, providing air service to Southeast MN and
border regions of Iowa and Wisconsin. Stay connected to RST at FlyRST.com and on Facebook
/RochesterAirport and Twitter @flyrst.

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Rochester International Airport Media contact:
Tiana O’Connor
[email protected]
507-361-3904