Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Elite Airways has backed out of its plans to offer non-stop flights from Rochester to a couple popular warm weather destinations. The Rochester Airport issued a statement today announcing the company has canceled the plans to begin the non-stop service to and from St. Augustine, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona this fall.

When Elite Airways originally announced its plans to offer flights from Rochester, the company set the launch date for mid-July. That was recently pushed back to October, and now the airline has decided to completely scuttle its local schedule of flights.

“It is unfortunate Elite Airways has made a decision to no longer bring service to the Rochester market” said John Reed, executive director of Rochester International Airport. “We share in the community’s disappointment that this new air service was cancelled.”

Reed says Elite cited low bookings as the reason for the decision. He notes the Rochester Airport has seen strong growth in traffic, with the number of passengers up 45-percent this year when compared to the first half of 2017. The airlines that currently serve the airport have also boosted the number of flights they offer.

Elite Airways says anyone who has purchased tickets for the canceled flights will be receiving a refund.

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