Great Bend, KS –Great Lakes Airlines has announced that their service at Great Bend Airport will terminate at the end of this month, one month shy of their original contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Effective April 1, Great Bend will be without airline service until the next Essential Air Service order takes effect, in May of this year. Great Lakes will, however, continue its flights from Hays to Denver. Both Hays and Great Bend have experienced substantial decreases in scheduled flights over the last several months.
Martin Miller, Airport Manager stated, “We will be in a transition period with a new type of service. The City Council has recommended that DOT accept a bid from SeaPort Airlines for Great Bend and we are excited about working to get more reliable air service to our area.” At this time, DOT has not yet issued its order for Essential Air Service for the next two-year period, commencing May 1. The DOT’s selection of SeaPort Airlines for Great Bend is anticipated, though not official as of today’s date. SeaPort will provide twice daily service to Wichita, and once daily service to Kansas City through Salina.
Presently, DOT has not issued the anticipated order. This could delay the commencement of the probable SeaPort service beyond the first of May. We are in contact with both SeaPort and DOT. Miller said, “Our overall goal is that our new service will have the capability to build passenger counts through low-cost fares and higher frequency of flights. We look forward to partnering with SeaPort, allowing them to hit the ground running and providing quality service to the community and surrounding areas.”
Under the next contracts, Hays will retain Denver service. This allows area residents to choose either an east-bound destination through Great Bend, or a west-bound destination through Hays. Miller added, “The City of Great Bend looks forward to sharing efforts with Hays, so that area residents have the option to fly east out of Great Bend, or west out of Hays.
For more information contact Martin Miller, Great Bend Municipal Airport at 620-793-4168.