Erie International Airport is establishing a new direct flight to Washington Dulles Airport on United Airlines with the help of a $292,000 grant, according to an announcement Monday morning.

The non-stop service is expected to start in the next nine to 12 months. There will be two flights.

The Executive Director of the Erie Regional Airport Authority, Derek Martin said, "It is an awesome thing for the community. It gives us another option. So we will have non stop service to four hubs."

An estimated 30,000 passengers are expected to use the new service.

The money comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Small Community Air Service Development Program. It will cover United's first-year costs.

Martin said, "Without the grant it would have delayed a decision for the airline to start or it might have never made the decision viable."

Political and business leaders think the new service will be a big plus for the regional economy.

James Grunke, President of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership said, "It gives out businesses access to new markets and it gives other businesses access here. So it is just not about a new air service. It is a new economic opportunity."

Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper said, "I think this is huge. Because the more connections we have out of Erie to really the global marketplace, the better we can compete."