Akron-Canton Airport applies for flight to D.C.

Landing and takeoff slots at the airport are restricted.

AKRON BEACON JOURNAL

Akron-Canton Airport officials are hoping to land a coveted opening for the facility’s first nonstop flight to Washington, D.C.

US Airways has submitted a request to the U.S. Department of Transportation for two slots — the equivalent to one round-trip flight — to Ronald Reagan National Airport.

Airport and regional officials have been trying to get a Washington nonstop flight for more than a decade, said Kristie Van Auken, airport senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer.

‘‘We have really never been this close,’’ said Van Auken.

Landing and takeoff slots at National are restricted by the government and rarely open up, said Van Auken.

The slots will be awarded by mid- to late November with service to start hopefully within 60 days from that time, said Van Auken.

The slots are available under a transportation bill passed in 2000, which awards openings in part to small community access and for public benefit, officials said.

Van Auken said it appears Akron-Canton’s chances are good because there are only two applicants. Midwest Airlines has requested the slot for its fifth round trip from Milwaukee to D.C.

‘‘We think we have such a strong case. We have no access to [Washington, D.C.],’’ she said. ‘‘We think our community deserves access.’’

In 2003, AirTran Airways was one of about a half-dozen carriers that tried for four open slots and was not successful.

Washington, D.C., is the most requested destination the airport currently doesn’t serve, said Rick McQueen, the airport’s new president and chief executive officer. He took over the helm of the airport Oct. 1 after longtime director Fred Krum retired.

Currently, travelers out of Akron-Canton can get to D.C., but only by connecting through another airport, said McQueen.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has a few nonstops to D.C.

US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said the airline has seen ‘‘impressive growth over the past decade at Akron-Canton and the airport does a great job marketing its new service.’’

Akron is a ‘‘great untapped market’’ to Washington and the airline has seen examples that the community will support the new service, she said.

Congressional leaders from Northeast Ohio are supportive of the new route and working on a joint letter of support, said Van Auken.

U.S. Reps. Ralph Regula, R-Navarre, and Tim Ryan, D-Niles, could not be reached to comment.

US Airways currently has five round-trip flights from Akron to its Charlotte, N.C., hub and two to its Philadelphia hub.