Sources: Kirk Schulz, 785-532-6221, kirks@k-state.edu;
and Charles Reagan, 785-532-6221, reagan@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009

K-STATE AND AREA OFFICIALS TO USE NEW AIR SERVICE TO DALLAS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz will join various community leaders on a flight to Dallas, Texas, Friday, Aug. 28, to commemorate the availability of air service between the Manhattan Regional Airport and the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

The flight is being sponsored by the city of Manhattan, the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau and the K-State Alumni Association. Other invited passengers include individuals from the city of Manhattan, Fort Riley, mayors and leaders from the region, and Kansas legislators.

Starting Tuesday, Aug. 25, American Airlines affiliate American Eagle Airlines is offering twice-daily flights from Manhattan to Dallas/Fort Worth. The new flights are scheduled to leave Manhattan at 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. each day, while flights from Dallas arrive in Manhattan at 3:15 and 8:45 p.m. daily.

Schulz said bringing another air carrier to the Manhattan airport is significant for K-State because it makes the Manhattan region more accessible and enhances K-State's abilities when it comes to research and recruiting.

"Securing this air service was a great accomplishment," he said. "It will be critical to the future of K-State in many ways."

The new air service also enhances Manhattan's selection as home to the new National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility.

The K-State contingent will fly out of Manhattan at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 28. In Dallas, the group will get an exclusive tour of several American Airlines facilities and tour the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. Schulz and John Currie, K-State director of athletics, will then speak at a 7:30 p.m. event for K-State alumni and friends at American Airlines' C.R. Smith Museum.

"I am excited about this opportunity to make a K-State splash in Texas," Schulz said. "This flight will be a wonderful occasion to visit with our Dallas/Fort Worth area alumni and supporters."

The new air service, which will use 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets, means that direct flights out of Manhattan now go to three metropolitan hubs. Great Lakes Aviation already offers flights from Manhattan to the Kansas City and Denver international airports.