Liberal Retains Essential Air Service Program Designation

An executive order issued this month by the U.S. Department of Transportation extends Essential Air Service (EAS) coverage for an additional three-year term for the Liberal Mid-America Regional Airport.

Service will continue to be delivered by SkyWest Airlines with 12 weekly round-trip flights to Denver (DEN) using 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft. SkyWest Airlines, which is affiliated with United Express, will continue service under EAS and receive federal subsidies to ensure vital flight connections are maintained.

“Bringing more transportation resources to Liberal continues to be a top priority, and we’ve continued engaging with our elected officials to voice those needs,” City Manager, Rusty Varnado, said. “Our round-trip flights to Denver are an important connection for business and leisure travel, and we could not sustain local service without support of the EAS program and legislators fighting on our behalf.”

Liberal is one of only five communities in Kansas to receive EAS support in recent years.