Stabenow Announces Additional Extension of Direct Flight Service Between Lansing and DC Until October 28, 2023

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration granted American Airlines an additional extension to continue providing direct service from Lansing’s Capital Region International Airport (LAN) to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA).

“Having a direct flight from Michigan’s capital to our nation’s capital is a major boost to Mid-Michigan’s economy,” said Senator Stabenow. “Continuing this important nonstop service gives the region continued certainty and benefits Michigan State University and the FRIB, local businesses and Port Lansing’s international trade facilities.”

“This is great news for our airport and those in our region,” said Wayne Sieloff, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority. “Our partnerships with air carriers like American Airlines play a critical role in our ability to assist in advancing our region. This extension of the Washington National Airport (DCA)/Capital Region International Airport (LAN) flights adds more certainty for this important route for the next 5 years.”

Senator Stabenow was key in securing this flight service in 2011 and ensuring Lansing kept a direct route to Washington, D.C. In February 2018, Stabenow called on U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to extend the slot exemption for American Airlines to continue this nonstop service and received an original extension until October 2019. Senator Stabenow continued to call on the DOT for a longer extension resulting in four additional years added on to the slot exemption. In July 2016, Senator Stabenow took part in the inaugural direct flight service on American Airlines flying from Lansing to Washington, D.C.