Inaugural trip to Chicago at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport

Cape Girardeau fire trucks make an arch with their firehoses during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. A total of 14 people arrived to the airport from Chicago with 24 departing. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Passengers arrive to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Passengers arrive to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Airport manager Bruce Loy speaks withHarry Rediger, left, and Scott Meyer, right, during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane arrives to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Airport manager Bruce Loy speaks withHarry Rediger, left, and Scott Meyer, right, during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane arrives to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane prepares to take off during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane arrives to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Airport manager Bruce Loy cuts the ribbon during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Girardeau Mayor Harry Rediger speaks during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Passengers get ready to board during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane arrives to Cape Girardeau during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

People take photos during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

People listen to Bruce Loy speak during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Girardeau fire trucks make an arch with their firehoses during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. A total of 14 people arrived to the airport from Chicago with 24 departing. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cake is served during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Girardeau fire trucks make an arch with their firehoses during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. A total of 14 people arrived to the airport from Chicago with 24 departing. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Cape Girardeau City Manager Scott Meyer listens to Mayor Harry Rediger speak during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

People eat cake and cupcakes during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

A passenger looks out into the horizon before getting on the United Express airplane during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Andrew Bard boards the United Express plane during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

Airport crew members celebrate during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)

The United Express airplane takes off from Cape Girardeau to Chicago during the inaugural trip to Chicago on a CRJ200 airplane with SkyWest Friday, Dec. 1, 2017 at Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in Cape Girardeau. (Andrew J. Whitaker ~ Southeast Missourian)