PenAir stopping operations at Dodge City Airport

Dodge City, KS(westernkansasnews.com) The City of Dodge City received notice on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, that PenAir, the regional airline provider, will cease all operations out of their Denver International Airport hub. The cessation will come into effect on September 10, 2017 and will affect the Kansas communities of Liberal and Dodge City, as well as other communities in Nebraska.

“PenAir is claiming extraordinary circumstances from the loss of pilots which occurred immediately following their public announcement of filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy,” said Cherise Tieben, City of Dodge City City Manager.

It is this claim that is allowing PenAir to immediately cease operations rather than provide the community with a time for transition to a new air service without disruption.

“The City of Dodge City is working with the U.S. Department of Transportation and our federal legislative delegation to aid in securing a new airline for the Essential Air Service, Tieben said.

The due date for proposals to start the review process of airlines desiring to serve as the EAS service for the Dodge City Regional Airport is Tuesday, September 12, 2017.

“Once an airline is secure, there will be a minimum of 60-90 days of transition time,” said Corey Keller, Dodge City Regional Airport Manager. “We are diligently working to ensure that a new airline is put in place as quickly as possible, as we understand how important it is to our residents to have commercial air service out of Dodge City.”

For those with flights after September 10, 2017, please contact PenAir at 800-448-4226 or info@penair.com for information regarding refunds.