Flights Between Fort Dodge, Twin Cities Begin Again After 2-Year Hiatus

FORT DODGE, Iowa (AP) — The Fort Dodge airport is now offering commercial flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for the first time in two years.

Air Choice One began offering several flights a day from the Fort Dodge Regional Airport on Monday. The airline had previously only offered service to Chicago and St. Louis, and the addition marks the first time the airport has provided flights to three locations, The Messenger newspaper reported.

For decades, Fort Dodge and the Twin Cities were linked by Northwest Airlink, Delta Airlines and Great Lakes Airlines. Northwest Airlink later merged with Delta, which pulled out of the airport in 2012. Great Lakes Airlines suspended service on Feb. 1, 2014, citing a lack of pilots.

"Bringing back this service from Fort Dodge to Minneapolis opens an opportunity to residents of Fort Dodge and the surrounding communities to enjoy what Minneapolis has to offer, including connections to the world," Air Choice One CEO Shane Storz said.

The airline has served Fort Dodge since 2015, with flights to St. Louis and Chicago. It receives a federal subsidy of approximately $3.7 million annually from the Essential Air Service program, which helps ensure that airlines continue to serve smaller cities.

Air Choice One is the only airline to operate commercial flights out of Fort Dodge.

Fort Dodge is about 95 miles north of Des Moines and 210 miles south of Minneapolis.

Iowa