There are over 300 airline passengers a day within a two hour drive of Hays. A recent catchment study was done to look at the market for the Hays Regional Airport.

However, City Commissioner Henry Schwaller says it will be difficult to attract some of those potential passengers unless a change in airline is made.

The city has plans to talk with other airlines, sharing the study results, to try to attract bidders for the next round of Essential Air Service contracts next year.