Company working on western Kansas air service

? The Salina Airport Authority is helping an airline’s bid to provide service to three western Kansas communities.

SeaPort Airline is bidding for essential air service contracts in Dodge City, Great Bend and Hays. It has served Salina since last year.

The head of the Salina Airport Authority says if SeaPort increased its presence in western Kansas would increase SeaPort’s volume. He says that would improve Salina’s chances of getting a flight to Denver.

At the request of the airline, the Salina Airport Authority sent information about SeaPort to the three communities.

The Salina Journal reports that officials are generally pleased with SeaPort’s performance in Salina since April 2010.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is expected to announce the contracts in June.