The availability of direct flights to popular international vacation destinations has helped lead to a surge of passenger travel in the past year at Capital Region International Airport. The partnership between Apple Vacations and Sun Country Airlines has been expanded for the 2012 winter vacation season and now features flights to Cancun Mexico, Montego Bay Jamaica and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

“The fact that Capital Region International Airport has the only full service customs operation in the state outside of Detroit combined with our central location makes us extremely attractive for international air service,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, director of market development at Capital Region International Airport. “Passengers from throughout Michigan, Indiana and Canada are taking advantage of the exciting vacation opportunities and convenience offered by flying Lansing.”
The popular international flights will begin flying out of Lansing on December 21 and feature three flights a week to Cancun, as well as weekly flights to Montego Bay and Punta Cana. Information about flight times and reservations can be made at http://www.applevacations.com/ or http://www.suncountry.com/.

The success of international flights combined with the expanded service being offered at Capital Region International Airport by Sun Country Airlines has helped boost passenger traffic at the airport to monthly increases of 30 per cent or more in the past year. Sun Country is offering non-stop flights to Washington DC and Minneapolis as well as four flights a week to Orlando.

“The service to Washington DC has filled a critical need for our business community,” said Noll-Williams. “Minneapolis is also an important gateway to the west and allows travelers to take advantage of great Sun Country connections to several west coast destinations.”

Noll-Williams said the fact that airlines have experienced success in Lansing is what has led to the increase in flights and destinations at Capital Region International Airport.

“Airlines want to know that a community will support their service before offering more destinations,” said Noll-Williams. “If we want to continue to add service in Lansing, we need to fill the flights we currently have available.”