The addition of WOW air and Icelandair to Hopkins Airport were billed as affordable, non-stop options to Iceland and a gateway to Europe. But a year later, WOW air has flown its last plane out of Hopkins and the long-term viability of Icelandair in Cleveland appears murky.
“I think it just means it’s going to take them (local travelers) a little bit longer to get used to what’s available to them.” Said Greater Cleveland Partnership CEO Joe Roman, “ When WOW air came into Cleveland to offer the same exact service at virtually the same time of day. It wasn’t a surprise one or the other wasn’t going to stay.”
Icelandair announced in September it was canceling its winter schedule out of Cleveland with the intent to pick service back up in May. Joe Roman urges Clevelanders to not only use the service to visit Iceland but to connect to Europe and other parts of the world as well.
“I don’t think enough of us in the market understand that there is more than just getting to Iceland in the Summertime, that there’s a really inexpensive route to Europe, Tel Aviv or many other locations.” Said Greater Cleveland Partnership CEO Joe Roman, “The first round didn’t exactly convince Clevelanders that it was another route to Europe. I think that’s what will happen if Icelandair stays here.”
