Worcester Airport Timeline

Thursday, April 04, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

There was considerable turbulence at Worcester Regional Airport, but JetBlue's announcement yesterday might bring on an era of smooth sailing.

Back in March of 2012, just after GoLocalWorcester.com launched, the digital news site broke one of the biggest news stories of the year - the demise of Direct Air.

The fledgling airline was the only carrier at Worcester Airport. Follow the timeline of the Worcester Airport's most recent history.

March 12, 2012 Exclusive: Worcester’s Only Airline Cancels All Flights - late on a Monday night, travellers get trapped across the country as Direct Air start cancelling flights.

March 13, 2012 NEW: Worcester’s Mayor Reaches Out to Direct Air for Answers - the following morning, Mayor Petty reaches out to Direct Air Execs looking for an explanation.

March 13, 2012 NEW: Massport Responds to Direct Air Flight Concerns - Massport was unaware of the airline's collapse.

March 13, 2012 Breaking: Direct Air Cancels Flights til May - More confusion as Direct Air cancels flights through May, but claims it will return.

March 14, 2012 Direct Air is a Nightmare for Travelers - Travelers are caught around the country. GoLocalWorcester interviews Central MA residents as they try to make their way home.

March 17, 2012 Direct Air’s Parent Co. Files for Bankruptcy - Refund Information - Direct Air finally releases information on how travelers can seek reimbusements.

March 29, 2012 $1 Million Payroll at Empty Worcester Airport - Despite the Worcester Airport not having any airlines - a GoLocalWorcester investigation unveils that the staffing cost exceeds more than $1 million.

April 18, 2012 How Massport Dodges a Bullet with Direct Air Replacement - Massport helped Worcester Airport with $350,000 when it ignored a request from Vision Airline to fly out of the OHR.

April 25, 2012 NEW: Jet Blue Could be Flying Into Worcester - GoLocalWorcester finds a mysterious Tweet from JetBlue Airways President and CEO Dave Barger, posted on Twitter one day before Massport holds its monthly meeting in Worcester, suggests the popular airline has its eyes on the struggling Worcester Regional Airport.

July 25, 2012 Jet Blue Picks Providence over Worcester - GoLocalWorcester's sister site, GoLocalProv.com, is first to break that JetBlue has selected Providence over Worcester for flights to Florida.

August 1, 2012 NEW: JetBlue CEO Visiting Worcester in August - After selecting Providence, JetBlue agrees to visit Worcester after urging from city officials.

August 3, 2012 Is MassPort Mothballing Worcester Airport to Protect Logan Revenues? An investigation by GoLocalWorcester finds that the revenue generated by Massport, the owner and operator of both Boston Logan and Worcester Regional airports, is significantly higher when a consumer flies out of Boston versus Worcester.

August 4, 2012 MassPort Fails to Seek Funding for Worcester Airport Upgrade According to a GoLocalWorcester review, Massport has not sought assistance from the Massachusetts federal delegation to secure funding, nor has Massport directly asked FAA for funding of the navigation upgrade. This lack of action is in spite of the fact that, according to the website opensecrets.org, created by the Center for Responsive Politics, Massport has engaged the lobbying firm O'Neill & Associates and paid that firm more than $200,000.

August 7, 2012 Guest MINDSETTER™ Richard Davey: Massport is committed to Worcester The top Massport official responds to the GoLocalWorcester series of articles. "I speak for the Massport Board, Governor Patrick, and Lieutenant Governor Murray in stating that on our watch, aggressive efforts are ongoing and will continue to make the vision of a busy and vibrant Worcester Regional Airport become a reality."

August 22, 2012 NEW: GoLocalWorcester Contributor Wins JetBlue Video Contest Jen Roy is part of a great team that works to capture JetBlue's attention with a clever, fun video.

December 31, 2012 Worcester Airport: Top Stories in Central Mass in 2012 GoLocalWorcester's reporters and editors identify the airport as one of the top stories in 2012.

March 18, 2013 NEW: FlyORH Launches JetBlue Poster Contest The ongoing community effort to bring JetBlue to Worcester launches a poster contest.

April 3, 2013 NEW: Worcester Secures JetBlue Deal JetBlue comes to Worcester.