Northwest Airlines
today announced that it will begin offering the only daily nonstop service
between Grand Rapids’ Gerald R. Ford International Airport and Ronald
Reagan Washington National Airport, beginning May 2, 2005.“Our new flight will provide business and leisure travelers destined for
Washington with the convenience and comfort of nonstop service,” said Phil
Haan, executive vice president of international, alliances and information
technology at Northwest Airlines and chairman of NWA Cargo. “Northwest’s
comprehensive network, competitive fares and convenient hub airports have
made us the leading choice of travelers in Grand Rapids, the state of
Michigan and throughout the Heartland of America.”

The new flight will be operated by Northwest Airlink partner Mesaba
Airlines with a 69-seat Avro RJ85 regional jet (ARJ), with 16 seats in
first class and 53 seats in coach class.

Grand Rapids is Northwest’s second largest Michigan market. The airline
offers 14 larger “mainline” jet aircraft flights from Grand Rapids,
including eight to its Detroit WorldGateway hub, five to its hub at
Minneapolis/St. Paul and one to its Memphis hub. Northwest also operates
nonstop service seasonally from Grand Rapids to Orlando and Tampa, Fla.,
providing the only nonstop service between Grand Rapids and those popular
Florida destinations.

Customers currently holding tickets for travel May 2 or beyond on
connecting itineraries from Grand Rapids to Washington will be able to
change to Northwest’s new nonstop service without paying an administrative
change fee, provided changes are made by March 31, 2005.

“I am pleased that Northwest Airlines is adding this new, direct service
between Grand Rapids and Washington,” said Congressman Vernon J. Ehlers,
R- Grand Rapids. “Providing this point-to-point service will be a boon to
travelers from West Michigan who want to visit our Nation’s Capital, as
well as serving as a faster and more efficient link for business travelers
between these two areas.”
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