AirTran to offer nonstop flight from BWI to Branson

Airline says it's responding to passenger demand

AirTran Airways plans to offer new nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Branson, Mo., starting in May.

New flights will also be offered to Branson from Chicago and Houston, the airline and Branson Airport announced Wednesday.

AirTran will offer one Saturday morning nonstop flight from BWI to Branson starting May 28.

The airline is responding to demand for more flights to Branson, which calls itself the "Live Music Show Capital of the World," said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways' vice president of marketing and sales, in a statement.

Last year 8 million travelers visited Branson, according to Branson tourism statistics.

"Branson has been one of the top travel destinations in the U.S. for residents of Chicago, Houston and our nation's capital region for several years," said Jeff Bourk, Branson Airport's executive director, in a statement. "This new air service will make visiting 'The Live Music Show Capital' easier and more affordable than ever while connecting Branson to virtually every corner of the country."

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