Campaign launched to boost Roanoke-to-NY air route

ROANOKE, Va. (AP) -- The Roanoke Regional Airport Commission is launching a community awareness campaign to boost an airline's struggling non-stop service to New York.

Commission executive director Jacqueline Shuck says passenger traffic on Delta's year-old non-stop flight to LaGuardia Airport hasn't met early expectations. The commission hopes to increase the number of passengers rather than risk the loss of Roanoke's only non-stop flight to and from New York.

Shuck says access to the nation's financial center is vital to the many national and international companies based in the Roanoke area, and easy access to and from New York also is important for leisure travelers. She says the public awareness campaign is part of the commission's responsibility to advocate for the community and to keep and enhance the region's air service offerings.