Sun Country Airlines is returning to Harlingen. The Minneapolis-based airline suspended seasonal passenger flights to Harlingen in July 2015, although it continued to provide charters to casinos in Nevada.
Airlines executives said they were responding to demands of their customers for passenger flights between Minnesota and Harlingen. “Our customers asked, and we listened,” said Zarir Erani, president and chief executive officer of the airline. “We value the insights our passengers share with us, and we look forward to continuing to grow our roster of seasonal destinations.”
The seasonal, nonstop flights to Valley International Airport were popular with Winter Texans from the Upper Midwest, and will again be available starting Nov. 10. Flight and hotel vacation packages are also available through Sun Country Vacations, the company said.
With the addition of Harlingen, Sun Country Airlines services a total of 37 destinations throughout the year. Flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday from Nov. 10 through April 23, 2017. “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Sun Country Airlines and look forward to offering additional nonstop flights between the Rio Grande Valley and Minneapolis this coming winter season via Harlingen,” said Marv Esterly, director of aviation at VIA.
For more on this Sun Country destination and to book travel, visit: suncountry.com. Like many airlines, Sun Country has had its ups and downs in recent years. In 2008 the airline filed for bankruptcy protection but continued to operate.
Earlier this month, Sun County was approved for two direct daily flights from Minneapolis to Cuba by the Department of Transportation. A Saturday flight will be available to Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Matanzas and a Sunday flight to Santa Clara’s Abel Santamaría Airport. It was unclear when those Cuba flights would begin.
By RICK KELLEY Staff Writer
