United Airlines will begin daily flights from Chicago to Montrose/Telluride Regional Airport on December 11, 2008. Southwest Colorado area visitors and residents alike will have quick, comfortable, convenient non-stop air service to Chicago and many connecting cities on United.

The new Chicago non-stop flight brings the total of daily non-stops to/from the Montrose Regional Airport to five cities. Other daily non-stop flights operate from Denver on United, Dallas on American Airlines, Houston on Continental and Salt Lake City on Delta Airlines to Montrose Regional Airport in the winter season. The Chicago Service is going to be operated by a CRJ 700 Regional Jet which has 66 seats including a first class cabin.

“We’re very excited to be offering service non-stop from Chicago,” said Tom Hess, president of the Telluride Montrose Regional Air Organization (TMRAO). “Chicago is one of the top visitor markets for the Montrose/Telluride area and these flights will provide excellent service to travelers. This new service also enhances our competitive positioning.”

TMRAO works on stimulating economic development through the air service development. The organization estimates that over $100 million in direct guest spending occurred in the Montrose/Telluride region in 2007 due to the air service.

“The increasing diversity of daily non-stop markets is a great benefit to local businesses and business development,” said Sandy Head, TMRAO Board Member and Executive Director of the Montrose Economic Development Corporation.

United Airlines operates more than 3,200 flights a day on United, United Express and Ted to more than 200 U.S. domestic and international destinations from its hubs in Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest international carriers based in the United States.

 “We’re always pleased to see local and regional residents have more non-stop flight options and the new Chicago service will provide some great connecting flight options on United,” states Lloyd Arnold, Montrose Regional Airport Director and TMRAO board member.