Great Lakes Airlines will start nonstop flights, from Thief River Falls to Twin Cities, in May

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Thief River Falls will get nonstop flights to the Twin Cities beginning May 17.

That’s the day Great Lakes Airlines will replace Delta Air Lines as the community’s passenger air carrier, according to Joe Hedrick, manager of Thief River Falls Regional Airport.

While he is waiting for more detailed information, he said the change should make travel to and from the Twin Cities not only more convenient, but also cheaper.

Currently, Delta flights between Thief River Falls and the Cities make stops in Hibbing, Minn., which means passengers are on board for about two hours. The new nonstop service will cut flight times to about one hour.

Round-trip tickets on Delta between Thief River Falls cost $684, as of Friday.

While no specific fare information was available from Great Lakes, Hedrick said he has been told that flights could be as low as $100 each way, at least for flights that connect from the Twin Cities to other cities.

Great Lakes, which also flies non-stop between Devils Lake and the Twin Cities, currently has round-trip flights between those two destinations listed at $184 to $204.

Delta announced in early 2011 that it would halt service to Thief River Falls and several other regional cities that are part of the federal Essential Air Service program.

Under EAS regulations, regular airline passenger service is guaranteed to the Cities. So, Delta was required to continue serving the communities until replacement carriers could take over.

Great Lakes, based in Cheyenne, Wyo., late last year replaced Delta in Devils Lake and Jamestown, N.D., as well as other regional airports.

Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send email to kbonham@gfherald.com.

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