United Airlines pulling out of Capital Region International Airport in January
LANSING – United Airlines will end service to Capital Region International Airport at the beginning of next year.
Airport officials confirmed the Chicago-based airline will pull out of Lansing on Jan. 3.
"We are very disappointed to lose the United Airlines service from (Lansing) to Chicago O'Hare," said Nicole Noll-Williams, airport president and CEO, in an email.
United officials did not immediately respond to an inquiry from the State Journal on Tuesday. But Crain's Detroit Business reported the airline confirmed it will end service to eight cities, including Lansing and Kalamazoo, in January.
The airline said the route changes resulted from "changes in the long-term sustainability" of its regional routes. It said it would try to help customers affected by the route changes find alternate flights, Crain's reported.
United Express served each of the eight cities through its regional affiliates with one route from either its Houston or Chicago hubs, according to the business publication.
Lansing airport officials believe a pilot shortage was a factor in United's decision, along with the slow return of business and international travelers in the region because of the pandemic, which has impacted UA's revenues, Noll-Willams said.
“It’s important to keep in mind that we will continue to have daily nonstop service to (Chicago O'Hare) on American Airlines, in addition to their Washington, D.C. ... service," she said. "American Airlines and Delta Air Lines also provide mid-Michigan travelers connectivity throughout the world."
Apple Leisure Group will provide seasonal nonstop service to Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, she added.
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: United Airlines to pull out of Lansing in January
