Newark flight added at Falls airport

by Susan Mikula Campbell

A new air service flexed its wings at Niagara Falls International Airport last week and is due to begin offering daily Newark-Niagara Falls flights to the public today (July 8).

Rainbow International Destination Management is the second air service to find a home at the airport and take advantage of the new terminal. Direct Air still offers low cost flights to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Florida.

Rainbow started July 2, bringing international visitors to Niagara Falls for a day of sightseeing.

The new daily flights from the Niagara Falls International Airport to Newark's private terminal leave Niagara Falls at 8:22 a.m., arriving in Newark, N.J., at 9:34 a.m. The return flight leaves Newark's private terminal at 6:34 p.m., arriving in Niagara Falls at 7:51 p.m.

Jane True, vice president of operations with Rainbow International Destination Management, said her company has been dealing with tourists coming into Niagara Falls since 1976. Its office has been in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Now a second office is at Niagara Falls International Airport.

The company decided to try a "brand-new venture" this year by offering international tourists coming into New York City the opportunity of day trip flights to Niagara Falls.

"Then we said, why not utilize the plane to take people into New York," True said.

Local women could do a girls' trip to New York for shopping and a Broadway show. Guys might be interested in a flight to see a Yankees game. The flights also will be convenient for business people with meetings in the New York area, she said.

"This reflects the continuation of our efforts to attract new airlines to the airport," said C. Douglas Hartmayer, director of public affairs for the Niagara Falls Transportation Authority.