Feds OK airline service for western Kansas

Flights between Garden City and Dallas are expected to begin next spring, after federal authorities chose American Eagle to provide commercial air service between the cities.

The U.S. Department of Transportation told the city on Monday that it had selected American Eagle to provide 14 round-trip flights per week to and from Dallas on a 44-seater jet.

The department also selected Great Lakes Airlines as the Essential Air Service provider for Dodge City, Liberal, Hays and Great Bend. Those cities will continue to be connected with Denver.

The Garden City Telegram reports that Garden City officials say they hope the service to Dallas will begin by April.

The Essential Air Services program helps fund commercial air service at small or rural airports like those in western Kansas possible.