March 28, 2024

Commercial air flights returning to Iowa airport

FORT DODGE — Commercial air flights will return to Fort Dodge with Air Choice One offering trips to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. Fort Dodge has been without air service since Great Lakes Airlines stopped flights in February because of a lack of pilots. The airline’s chief administrative officer, Cindy Stork, said a start date for the new flights hasn’t been set. But Rhonda Chambers, the aviation director of Fort Dodge Regional Airport, said she expects the service will start in about 60 to 90 days. Chambers said the airport’s commission is excited commercial flights will be offered again at the Fort Dodge airport.

“The communities they serve have wonderful things to say about (Air Choice One) and the service they provide,” she said.

In June, the airport commission recommended the federal government choose Air Choice One to replace Great Lakes Airlines.

Great Lakes Airlines received the federal Essential Air Service subsidy to support its then-service at the Fort Dodge airport, and local airport officials had to go through a federal selection process to replace them.

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Monday announced an order designating Air Choice One, which will also receive the subsidy, to serve Fort Dodge.