airberlin expands US network

airberlin is continuing its expansion to the USA: from 23rd March 2013 the airline will start operating direct flights from Berlin to Chicago, making it the first company ever to provide a connection between the German capital and this metropolis in the US state of Illinois. Following the introduction of the direct connection from Berlin to Los Angeles in May, this is already airberlin‘s second USA premiere in a very short period of time. airberlin will start operations on the new route for the beginning of the Easter holidays at the end of March 2013. When the summer schedule starts in May 2013, airberlin will increase the number of direct flights from three to five per week. Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, CEO of Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH said: “The new connection to Chicago sends a strong signal for the future viability of Berlin-Brandenburg as a centre for aviation. I would like to express my gratitude to our home carrier, airberlin, for the trust they have placed in us. With flights to Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and New York, Berlin is now very well connected to the USA.” His Excellency Philip D. Murphy, United States Ambassador to Germany said: “I welcome this new direct flight from Berlin to Chicago, which opens up travel from the great German capital city to the heart of America.” Paul Gregorowitsch, CCO airberlin said: “Chicago is already the seventh US destination to be included in airberlin’s flight schedule and the airline is thus setting the course for further growth in the United States of America. “The direct flight to Chicago is a strategically important step for us to further promote connectivity between our Berlin hub and our partners‘ hubs. Chicago is also the second largest hub for our oneworld® partner, American Airlines. This network expansion will provide a wide range of connections in Europe and in the USA for airberlin customers and for those of American Airlines.” From 1st May 2013, an airberlin Airbus A330-200 will make the nine-hour flight to the city on Lake Michigan on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Between 23rd March and 30th April 2013, airberlin will operate the direct flight every Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Take-off from Berlin is at 10:00 and the flight lands at Chicago’s O‘Hare International Airport at 12:10. The return flight from Chicago leaves at 15:25 und arrives in the German capital at 07:00 on the following morning.