Worcester Airport: Massport seeking additional carriers

Rick Saia JetBlue officials disembark a plane at Worcester Regional Airport in 2013 for the announcement that the airline plans to offer Florida flights.

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By Sam Bonacci

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) board of directors has extended and expanded an incentive program designed to pull in another carrier for the Worcester Regional Airport.

“With the current JetBlue service we’ve demonstrated that the airport is a convenient and effective alternative. It’s now our challenge to increase air service to and from Worcester and this program will stimulate that effort,” Massport Board Chairman Michael Angelini said in a statement.

The board voted on June 18 to extend the Worcester Air Service Incentive Program that was set to expire on June 30. The board also voted to expand the program that was first introduced in 2012.

The updated Worcester Air Service Incentive Program will run from July 1, 2015 through June 20, 2018 and will increase the marketing assistance from the current $75,000 to $100,000 per new destination while also allowing airlines to participate in cooperative marketing efforts with Massport. The program also provides carriers with rebates of airport fees for two years.

According to Massport, this program was instrumental in attracting JetBlue, which began daily roundtrip service between Worcester and both Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. in November 2013.

“Worcester Regional Airport has been successful in providing low-cost air travel options to people in the growing MetroWest Boston and Central Massachusetts area with JetBlue,” Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn said. “Securing new air services at the airport allows people to travel to top leisure and business destinations as well as connecting hub cities.”

The incentive program requires a minimum of three weekly scheduled nonstop roundtrip flights to be operated continuously for at least six months.