TRAVERSE CITY — Cherry Capital Airport will add year-round direct flight service to Denver, thanks to a federal transportation grant.
The Northwestern Regional Airport Commission tonight is expected to approve a Small Cities grant agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will provide up to $400,000 for one year to help underwrite year-round direct flight service from Traverse City to Denver International Airport.
Cherry Capital offered seasonal flight service to Denver over the last two summers through United Express, a regional air carrier for United Airlines that operates a hub at Denver International. Cherry Capital Executive Director Stephen Cassens said those seasonal flights operated at nearly 75 capacity and airport officials are optimistic there will be solid demand for year-round service.
"That's a strong market for us," Cassens said. "It has done well."
The airport hopes to have the year-round service in place by the third quarter of 2010, Cassens said.
