Sun Country Airlines is going to Aruba.
Sun Country Airlines to fly nonstop from MSP to Aruba
The Eagan-based carrier said Wednesday it will begin winter seasonal service to Aruba and Tucson in December.
May 11, 2017 at 1:12AM
The Eagan-based airline announced Wednesday two new destinations from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Not only will Twin Cities travelers have nonstop access to Aruba in the Caribbean this winter, they will be able fly nonstop to Tucson, Ariz., as well.
The flights will operate between December 2017 and April 2018.
This marks the first time Sun Country will fly to Aruba in its 35-year history. Aruba is an island in the Caribbean Sea just off the northern tip of Venezuela in South America. It is the farthest south of Sun Country's destinations.
"With the addition of Aruba to our destinations, we look forward to giving our Midwest travelers the opportunity to travel to an internationally renowned Caribbean island in the midst of our winter season," says Zarir Erani, Sun Country Airlines president and chief executive, in a statement.
Tucson joins Phoenix in Sun Country's roster of Arizona destinations. The airline chose Tucson for its "growing art, food and entertainment scenes, along with a variety of outdoor attractions," the company said.
"We are thrilled to welcome Sun Country Airlines to Tucson International Airport," said Bonnie Allin, president and chief executive of the Tucson Airport Authority. "We especially look forward to welcoming more Minnesotans to our unique southern Arizona desert and enjoy our winter sunshine."
With these additions, Sun Country now offers service — seasonal or year-round — to 41 destinations. The airline announced in March it will begin offering seasonal service to Sonoma County in California's wine region and Austin, Texas, this fall.
The small airline only committed to one year of service for the Aruba and Tucson routes. It is common for airlines to add and remove routes based on demand. For instance, Sun Country used to fly between MSP and Chicago but ended that service in 2015. The carrier also ceased its nonstop flight between MSP and Harlingen, Texas — the closest airport to South Padre Island — in the 2015-2016 winter season, only to resume the service last winter following customer requests.
Similarly, Delta Air Lines flew nonstop seasonal service from MSP to Rome last summer, but the Atlanta-based carrier discontinued that service after just one season, citing low demand.
Kristen Leigh Painter • 612-673-4767
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