Joplin Airport will continue to provide federally subsidized airline service for two more years.
Passengers that choose to fly to their destination via the Joplin Regional Airport can expect to find themselves traveling on larger jets.
The airport announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation renewed a contract for Essential Air Service with American Eagle.
The airport service is performing so well that the subsidy will drop from $2.7 million a year to $342,560.
The airline will provide the same 14 round-trip flights to Dallas every week. American Eagle plans to use jets with 50 seats rather than 44.
Airport officials say the 44-passenger jets are usually at least 80 percent full, warranting the need for larger jets.
The new contract begins March 1.
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Information contributed from: The Joplin (Mo.) Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com & AP
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