Syracuse airport arranges round-trip flights to South Bend for Notre Dame game
Syracuse Regional Airport arranged non-stop round-trip flights for Syracuse University’s football matchup against Notre Dame Saturday. The two flights, and their 75 passengers, will leave Friday afternoon and return on Sunday morning. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Syracuse Regional Airport Authority, along with major airlines, arranged nonstop round-trip flights to South Bend from Syracuse Hancock International Airport ahead of Syracuse University’s upcoming football matchup at No. 9 Notre Dame this Saturday.
Both Delta and American Airlines added special nonstop flights to South Bend to allow fans to travel to the game and support their team. Both flights will hold approximately 76 people and will leave Friday afternoon and return Sunday morning.
Delta Airlines added over 40 flights on May 2, totaling more than 8,000 seats to destinations for college football games all across the country so fans could travel and support their team in person, according to its website.
“While we are always providing information to our airline partners regarding potential one-off higher-travel opportunities, Delta Airlines simply let us know they intended to run this flight in this case,” SRAA’s Public Information Officer Matthew Szwejbka said.
Earlier in the season, Delta had provided a larger aircraft that could fly 193 fans out to Atlanta to attend SU’s season opener against the then No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers.
Szwejbka said the effort was successful and inspired the airport to present another flight for fans.
“Upon learning of the very quick sellout of the Delta flight, our partner American Airlines saw an opportunity to also provide one-off service directly from Syracuse to South Bend,” he said.
SRAA Executive Director Jason Terreri expressed gratitude toward partner airlines for their contribution to the community and for helping the Orange faithful travel and support their team in the home stretch of a turbulent season.
“This additional service into South Bend will help Orange fans show out in force,” Terreri said.
Despite a bumpy season for Syracuse, fans can be expected to make the trek to Indiana for a matchup against a high-profile opponent.
Szwejbka believes that the energy is still there for Orange fans to support their team on the road.
“There’s something to be said for the camaraderie of a flight you know is loaded with SU Football fans,” he said.
He said the SRAA hopes its airline partners will continue to do special nonstop flights for future Syracuse football games in upcoming seasons.
