Earlier flight time to Denver

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Great Lakes Airlines will change departure time of its McCook-to-Denver flight to an earlier time. According to the airport manager at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, City Manager Jeff Hancock, the 5:09 p.m. flight will begin departing at 2:56 p.m., effective Feb. 1, 2013.

Hancock called the change a win for the airport and said it had been requested by airport advisory chairman Richard Stull. Stull and a group of community leaders travelled to Great Lakes Airlines' Cheyenne, Wyoming, office in December, to discuss how to increase the number of passengers utilizing the McCook commercial air service.

Commercial flights from McCook to Denver are scheduled twice daily, Monday through Friday, departing at 6:20 a.m. and 2:56 p.m. The weekend flights depart once daily, at 7:50 a.m. on Saturday and 8:47 a.m. on Sunday.

Hancock said that the airline has recently hired two agents and more may come.

He also announced that Theresa Dicke, long time station manager, will leave her employment on Friday, Feb. 8.

"We will miss her," said Hancock. Doreen Parsons has been promoted from within to Station Manager, effective Feb. 1, 2013, according to Hancock.