Cherry Capital Airport announced the launch Friday of direct service between Traverse City and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) through United Airlines. The seasonal Saturday service will start Saturday, June 29 and operate through Saturday, August 17. 

The new flight has been made possible by a U.S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant ($750,000) with community partnerships between TVC, Traverse City Tourism, and Traverse Connect, according to an airport release. For the new flight, an E-175 aircraft will depart IAH at 11:55am (CT) and arrive at TVC at 3:55pm (EST). The flight will then depart TVC at 5pm (EST) and arrive at IAH at 7:05pm (CT). The non-stop flight will be available for purchase online starting Saturday, February 17.

"The additional Houston service continues to show the awesome service and commitment on behalf of United Airlines to northern Michigan," said Airport CEO Kevin Klein in a statement. Houston is United’s fifth nonstop destination - routes also include Chicago, Denver, Newark, Washington DC/Dulles - and TVC’s nineteenth, according to Klein.