WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected American Airlines to provide Essential Air Service at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion. Beginning later this summer, the airline will operate 12 round trips per week between Marion and Chicago’s O'Hare International Airport using 65-passenger regional jets.

"Southern Illinois deserves reliable air service, and that's exactly what this development should deliver,” said Bost. "I've worked closely with airport officials, American Airlines, and the U.S. Department of Transportation in recent months to make this happen, and I couldn’t be more thrilled it came to fruition. With connections to O'Hare and access to American's full route network, I’d expect this to be a big boost for the region."

With the addition of one of the country’s largest national carriers, the new service will nearly double the current capacity.

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