American Airlines will begin daily service between TF Green International Airport (PVD) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning April 5, 2016, Kelly Fredericks, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, (RIAC), announced last Friday.

The two daily flights will be aboard CRJ-700 regional jets with 63 seats – nine in first class and 54 in economy. American and US Airways merged two years ago and combined their operations in October, bringing the American name back to the airport for the first time since its service to Chicago ended in 2008.  

In a statement Fredericks said, “We are pleased with the return of PVD to ORD service. This key mid-western hub is a significant addition for business and leisure travelers alike.  We thank our American partners for these two new daily flights and the increased options they present for our customers, whether their final destination is Chicago or connecting service via ORD to other markets. Every new seat is a plus for this airport and the community in general. This translates into over 90,000 more airline seats per year. With PVD’s strong load factors, most of these seats will represent additional passengers.”  

Jon Savage, Chair of the RIAC Board of Directors, said, “In all our meetings with the business community, we continue to hear the need for more service to top business markets. These new flights will provide more frequency to Chicago as well as excellent connections to a number of top corporate cities.”  

 From its Chicago hub, American Airlines offers nearly 500 daily flights to 116 destinations in 11 countries. In addition to the new Chicago flights, the airline offers nonstop service from TF Green Airport to Charlotte, NC, Philadelphia, PA, and Washington, DC.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, Dec. 12, the airline said.