American Airlines loses bid to restore flights between Long Island MacArthur and DC airports

American Airlines has lost its bid to restore flights between Long Island MacArthur Airport and Washington, D.C.

Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/17llUpu ) says the federal Department of Transportation last month awarded two available slots at Reagan Washington National Airport to Southwest Airlines, which proposed flights between D.C. and Kansas City, Missouri.

The DOT cited Southwest's bigger planes, low fares and passenger demand for the Kansas City route for its decision.

The paper says the Islip Town-owned MacArthur Airport will continue to look for carriers for the facility.

Following a 2013 merger, American Airlines is the parent company of US Airways, one of the two airlines currently operating at MacArthur.

American Airlines declined to comment.

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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com