EMMET COUNTY — United Airlines launched its inaugural flight from Chicago to Pellston, marking the first new airline service at the airport since it opened in 2003.
The flight, which had 46 out of 50 seats sold, was celebrated with a fire truck salute and cake upon arrival.
This new route is expected to boost tourism and provide more travel options to Mackinac Island, a popular summer destination.
“I was talking to some of the fellow passengers and they announced it, and we all kind of looked at each other like, oh my gosh, like, we’re making history,” said Vivian Kipp, a passenger from Charleston, South Carolina.“Everybody was gracious,” shared Vivian Mccombs, another passenger.
“And then the pilot said, now watch out for the spray that the, you know, they sprayed the plane. And it was really cool, really, really nice.”
Ken Burns, owner of Mackinaw Shuttle, expressed optimism about the new service.
“It’s a summer area, we’re a tourist area,” Burns said. “If you have a bad summer, it’s terrible. Takes a while to bounce back. But as far as this, the people coming up having a good time, it’s more important to get the most flights in here.”Ryan Bachelor, the Airport Director, stated, “So I‘m hoping that through some of the advertising funding we’re putting into this new airline coming in, that these flights are all full and that in the future this might be able to be something that goes year-round.”
Vivian Kipp, along with her mother and grandmother, who are all named Vivian, were on a girls’ trip to Mackinac Island when they discovered they were part of the historic flight.
“We’re super excited. Surprised when she found out that we weren’t going to be in bathing suits,” said Vivian McCombs, highlighting the unexpected cooler weather of the island.
The addition of United Airlines is seen as a positive development for the Pellston airport, which has not added a new airline since its opening in 2003.
The flight is scheduled to operate once a day until May 22nd, with plans to add another flight for the busy summer months.
The introduction of United Airlines flights to Pellston is expected to enhance tourism and provide a much-needed boost to local businesses.
The community is hopeful that the service will eventually expand to year-round operations, benefiting the region’s economy.