UPDATE: Hundreds Turn Out at ORH for JetBlue Arrival

Email to a friend Permalink

Wednesday, April 03, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

JetBlue CEO David Barger makes official announcement of Worcester service starting in November to standing room only crowd.

Close to 200 people turned out this morning at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH) to officially welcome JetBlue to the region. Elected officials, community supporters, Worcester team mascots, and a marching band were all part of the airport festivities that were buzzing with excitement leading up the landing of the first JetBlue plane at approximately 10 A.M.

"I love the smell of JetBlue engines in the morning," said Worcester City Manager Michael O'Brien. "It smells like victory." The culmination of a year long effort to court JetBlue by local and state officials, the press conference this morning had a celebratory feel to it, with a source saying, "This is the political event of the year."

"I've never seen this kind of turnout before," said JetBlue CEO Dave Barger. He continued, "Our intent is to stay here long term, and to grow [ORH]." Barger told the crowd that JetBlue flights to Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando would start on November 7th.

Governor Deval Patrick and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray were on hand to welcome the airline to the region as well, in addition to MassPort CEO Thomas Glynn, and other elected officials.

Patrick told the crowd, "Growth and opportunity. That's what investing is all about. I have heard from all around the Commonwealth to invest in you -- invest in Massachusetts. Growth doesn't just happen -- we have to go get it."

Added Glynn, "This is proof that investments do pay off. Worcester's the second largest city in the region -- not just in the state. If Hartford has an airport, and Providence has one, Worcester deserves to have one."

Murray cited the growth of rail service as another example of the state's commitment to infrastructure in the region, noting that 20 commuter rail trains [a day] would be added to service between Worcester and Boston in October.