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Denver Air Connection restores reliability at McCook Airport, boosts travel and community
Over two years ago, Denver Air Connection assumed responsibility for flight services at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport (MCK) to restore passenger trust. Following a period of unreliability under the previous airline, the initial stage of operations faced challenges. However, through dedicated efforts, McCook’s performance has reached the same high standards as other locations served by Denver Air.
As part of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, McCook benefits from crucial federal subsidies that support communities that need viable air travel options but are remote from larger airports.
Jon Coleman, SVP of Corporate Strategy, praised his team’s commitment: “The city leadership has been vocal about how wonderful our McCook team is. Our fantastic station agents are the face of the airline and take great pride in serving their community.”
He also emphasized the convenience offered by their service, mentioning, “Passengers can connect seamlessly and check bags to their final destinations using Denver Air’s partner airlines United, American, and Delta.” With favorable connection schedules, Coleman noted that travelers can reach nearly any destination across the U.S. within six hours from McCook and even Hawaii in just nine hours.
“There’s no reason not to travel,” Coleman remarked, expressing confidence in the airline’s ticketing and baggage handling processes. “Our fare structure is very competitive for the region, often beating prices on other flights out of southwest Nebraska.”
Denver Air celebrated its commitment to the community with a Chamber Ribbon-Cutting event on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Coleman said, “It’s long overdue, but we became chamber members earlier this year to strengthen our ties with the community. “
Sharing impressive performance statistics, Coleman proudly stated, “Our completion rate stands at an incredible 99.75%, with on-time performance in the high 80s—possibly the best in the industry worldwide.”
As a pilot-run organization, Coleman explained, “Our top priority, aside from safety, is to fulfill our commitments. We take that promise seriously if you purchase a ticket with us.”
Denver Air Connection joined the McCook Chamber to foster community partnerships and recognize reliable air service’s essential role in economic growth and stability.
A subsidiary of Key Lime Air, Denver Air Connection is committed to serving McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport with charter and scheduled passenger air services, enhancing travel options for residents and visitors alike.
Operating under Key Lime Air, Denver Air emphasizes regional airline services. It provides friendly service to 17 communities across ten states. The company’s fleet includes Embraer ERJ-145 and Fairchild Dornier 328JET regional jets, alongside turboprops such as the Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner and Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia.
Denver Air has established interline agreements with major carriers like United Airlines and American Airlines, enabling seamless passenger travel. In January 2024, they expanded these agreements to include Delta Air Lines.
Since launching service to Telluride Regional Airport in 2019 with the Fairchild Dornier 328JET, Denver Air has also provided essential air service to Alliance Municipal Airport, offering twelve weekly round trips to Denver.
By linking numerous smaller communities to major travel hubs, Denver Air Connection is vital in enhancing connectivity and ensuring residents have access to a broader travel network. Their service to McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport underscores this ongoing commitment to delivering reliable and efficient air travel options.
This article is a continuing series about McCook Gazette “Thumbs Up to Business” partners. Call the Gazette at (308)345-4500 for more information on how to have your business included in this series.