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An American Airlines jetliner rumbles down a runway for takeoff from Denver International Airport after a winter storm swept through the region Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024, in Denver.

David Zalubowski, Associated Press

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Brian Torgensen, Provo Airport director, speaks at a press conference about American Airlines coming to Provo on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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A map of American Airlines flights from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is shown inside Provo Airport on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi speaks at a press conference about American Airlines coming to Provo on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Carlene Coombs, Daily Herald

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The exterior of the new Provo Airport terminal is shown on Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald file photo

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American Airlines will soon be operating daily flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix from the Provo Airport.

The major airline will begin the flights on Oct. 7, according to a press release sent Thursday, with two daily routes to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and one daily flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

“We had a forward-looking vision when we built the Provo Airport,” Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi said in the press release. “The monumental announcement of the arrival of American Airlines proves we were on their radar as much as our airport tower will soon be on theirs. With year-round, daily service, American Airlines is showing their commitment to Provo and we couldn’t be happier to welcome them home with this game-changing service.”

The flights will be on CRJ700 aircraft, which hold 65 passengers and include nine first-class seats.

“One of the most exciting things I did as mayor was bringing scheduled service to Provo Airport, and it’s been incredible to see it flourish,” said U.S. Rep. John Curtis in a press release. “In Congress, I’ve kept that momentum going by securing funds for the airport’s expansion, enabling Utahns to travel across the country. I’m thankful for American Airlines’ recognition of our infrastructure achievements with its new service and my gratitude extends to everyone involved in this success.”

The airport held a press conference on Thursday morning to celebrate the announcement with Kaufusi, airport staff and government leaders.

At the press conference, Kaufusi said she has been “floating” since the news was confirmed to her on Wednesday and thanked airport leaders and staff, government officials and Utahns who fly in and out of the airport.

“The community economic benefits are substantial, with each new round trip daily destination bringing an estimated $15 million into our local, regional and state economy,” she said.

Kaufusi said the “future is bright” for the airport, with construction underway to expand to 10 gates.

Brian Torgersen, Provo Airport director, said he got the call from American Airlines two and a half weeks ago about setting up flights to Provo.

“This couldn’t have happened again without a visionary mayor, incredible team of Public Works and every department in the city has been a part of the success here at Provo, and I couldn’t be more proud to be involved with this today,” he said.

Tosh Metzger, a local resident, said he’s excited about the new routes into Provo.

“Now you can go anywhere in the world,” he told the Daily Herald. “You can go from Provo to Dallas to Rome. … Wherever American (Airlines) goes, you can go right from Provo, which is pretty cool.”

Metzger runs a Facebook group all about Provo Airport news and development and said on April 1, April Fools’ Day, he posted a fake announcement about American Airlines coming to Provo but had no idea it was actually in the works.

Torgersen joked about Metzger’s April Fools’ Day post during the press conference, saying, “I was freaking out for a minute. There was only three or four people that knew at that point that this was even a possibility.”

Breeze Airways recently announced it would be offering flights to Dallas twice a week starting June 7.

American Airlines will begin to sell tickets starting April 22.

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