Grant Might Get Sioux Falls Nonstop Flight to Seattle

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A federal grant may soon make it possible for travelers in the southeast South Dakota region to get to Seattle without the hassle of a layover.

The Argus Leader reports the Sioux Falls Regional Airport has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that officials plan on using to jumpstart the nonstop flight.

Executive director Dan Letellier says airlines approached the airport months ago about running the route to Seattle, but the airlines need a risk-abatement program to offset potential losses during the first year of service.

Letellier says the airport will notify airlines about the grant in hopes of reaching an agreement over the next few months.

Flights currently offered from Sioux Falls to Seattle include stops in Minneapolis and Denver, among other cities.

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