UPDATE: United Airlines not coming to Youngstown airport

Officials at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport received word that Monday United Airlines has concluded that “there is not a solid business case” for starting daily air service at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

According to a letter released Tuesday by Dan Dickten, the airport’s director of aviation, the revenue guarantee requested by United was four times higher than the $1.75 million the airport’s team said it could raise.

“The local subsidy amount being cited was far below what they would need to start and sustain the daily service being discussed,” Dickten summarized in the letter to the Western Reserve Port Authority board of directors.

Additionally, those funds would have to be raised annually.

A federal grant and matching funds from the WRPA secured $1.2 million, and Dickten was leading a campaign to raise the remaining money. The “YNG team” also circulated surveys to local businesses to gauge interest for daily service, which were submitted in late April.

But United informed Dickten and Tom Reich, air service development consultant, that it would not establish daily service in Youngstown any time soon.

“As with all communities, we will continue to analyze and maintain the possibility for future service if demand for air travel makes a solid business case for annual profits and network benefits,” the airline said.

“As you know, we frequently meet with communities around the country to discuss potential air service and are always exploring possible new routes, YNG is no exception.”

Dickten also pointed out that United recorded a $489 million net loss in the first quarter, as its three recently added start-up services are failing and a crew shortage is causing scheduling conflicts.