Houston adds new direct route to Rome

• Tickets are already on sale, per Houston Airports.

How it works: Service begins with three weekly flights — Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

• It expands to five flights a week in June.

What they're saying: "This is the connection we needed," Mayor John Whitmire said at a press conference on Tuesday.

• "It opens up not only Rome and Italy, but all of Europe, to the city of Houston."
• Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for the Houston Airport System, in a statement called the route "a defining moment for Houston." He added "it will bring new visitors, investment and business opportunities."

The big picture: Houston's flight map keeps expanding with ZIPAIR Tokyo increasing service between Bush Airport and Tokyo Narita International Airport this winter, and Frontier Airlines adding eight new routes later this year — including three Central American destinations.