South Bend International adds second Newark flight

SOUTH BEND — United Airlines is adding a second daily flight between South Bend and Newark, N.J.

South Bend International Airport made the announcement on Wednesday. It said the additional flight will run from Sept. 7 through Dec. 15.

"I've said it over and over, a community receives the air service it supports. This is a prime example of that statement," Mike Daigle, executive director of the South Bend airport, said in a news release.

The new flight will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport at about 2:45 p.m. and arrive in South Bend at 5 p.m. The return flight will depart South Bend at about 5:20 p.m. and arrive in Newark about 7:20 p.m.

ExpressJet will operate the flights using ERJ-145 regional jet aircraft with 50 United Economy seats. Tickets are already on sale at www.united.com.

"One of the ways we are becoming the airline South Bend customers choose first is by delivering the products and services they want," said Kimberly Egan, United's sales manager. "Our second daily service between South Bend and New York/Newark offers numerous opportunities for domestic and international travel."

Flights last slightly longer than two hours, which means that people could feasibly spend the entire day in the city and return home at night. Many local companies who do business on the East Coast, say that this option saves them time.

United Express began nonstop service between South Bend and Newark in October 2014. The current daily flight departs South Bend at 6:35 a.m. and returns nightly at 10:15 p.m.

If the Newark flight continues to be successful, the South Bend airport can take the data United is sharing with it and search for the next opportunity. And with the new federal inspection station expected to be complete this fall, it is possible that flight could be international.