Reconstruction of the main runway at the Hays Regional Airport is making the selection of a commercial airline difficult. A new two-year contract will be awarded this summer, and four airlines have bid. Sometime in late 2012 or early 2013, the main runway will be closed, leaving only the crosswind runway.

     A bid the city likes is from Sky West, but it cannot land on the other runway. The current carrier Great Lakes can, but Mayor Barbara Wasinger says she wants to select a different airline to send a message

       Bids also came in from Sea Port, which provides service to Salina, and Air Choice One, which would fly to Wichita. Both are nine-passenger planes. The commission will make a selection next week to submit to the Department of Transportation for the final decision.