Sep. 21—Air service is set to arrive in Manhattan next week.
Manhattan Regional Airport officials on Wednesday announced daily flights will begin on Monday, following a runway reconstruction project that kept the airport closed for nearly five months.
American Airlines will resume commercial air service Monday, with the first return flight arriving at 11:45 a.m.
Keazer said the Manhattan Fire Department will greet the flight with a water-cannon salute as the plane pulls into the jet bridge at the terminal.
"We are extremely excited to be able to reopen Manhattan Regional Airport to full service and put the runway construction project behind us," Manhattan Regional Airport Director Brandon Keazer said in a written statement.
"We are glad to welcome travelers back to our airport and are extremely thankful for their patience throughout the construction project."
Keazer said airport staff will hand out "swag bags" in the "sterile area" to customers who are traveling on Monday.
In addition, Manhattan Regional Airport will provide 25 days of free parking in recognition of the 25-day construction delay. The duration of this free parking promotion will be from Sept. 25 through Oct. 19.
The airport suspended flights on May 5. The construction project involves the "rubblization" of the airport's main runway. The technique involves construction crews applying new layers of asphalt and concrete over the crumbled surface. The plan also calls for the reconstruction of the secondary runway, as well as adjacent intersections and five taxiways.
The total cost for the project is $34.8 million, including planning and design. The FAA paid for $28.5 million of the project, a U.S. Department of Defense program's share is $3.196 million, and the city is paying $3.2 million.
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