RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - Direct flights from Rapid City Regional Airport to Houston are starting Thursday.

The Rapid City Journal reports that daily nonstop flights from Rapid City to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport will continue until Aug. 26. This is the second summer the flights have been added.

Airport Director Cameron Humphres says the additional flight option could boost tourism to the Black Hills, connect the North Dakota oil boom to Texas oil brokers and allow local travelers more flight options.

The seasonal service adds to Rapid City's daily flights to Denver and Chicago, as well as its nonstop service to Chicago, Dallas, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and Phoenix.

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