CommuteAir wins Open Skies authority to begin international charters

CommuteAir has won permission from the US Department of Transportation to begin international charter flights, and will start them later this year. The regional carrier said the approval covers charters to countries that hold Open Skies agreements with the United States.

The Bahamas will be the first destination, served with 76-seat Embraer E170 aircraft. Flights are due to start in November.

The airline said the authority advances the build-up of its charter division. Rick Hoefling, its president and chief executive, said the approval also fits a longer-term plan to broaden the business and give customers and partners a flexible charter option.

CommuteAir's scheduled passenger flying is done entirely for United under the United Express brand, with more than 200 flights a day using ERJ 145 jets and hubs at Washington Dulles and Houston. The E170s used for charter work had been restricted to destinations inside the United States.