Commercial flights resuming at Las Cruces international airport

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Commercial flights are set to resume at the Las Cruces international airport after an 18 year absence, and it's just one of many big expansion plans in the area.

Advanced air will take off from Las Cruces January 12, with direct service to Albuequerque. The flight is about $80 each way and takes about an hour.

Plans to usher in passenger service from Las Cruces have been in the works for years, and were finally made possible thanks in part, to the Rural Air Service Enhancement Act, and the Federal Aviation Administration.

Airport Administrator Andy Hume told ABC-7 the city did a feasibility study to determine whether there is enough demand for commercial flights, and it left no doubt that there is. He said the airport will eventually be expanded to allow customers to fly out of state.

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Commercial flights are returning to the Las Cruces International Airport after 18 years.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held this morning to mark the occasion, attended by Mayor Kenneth Miyagishima and other city officials.

Starting January 16th, people in the region will be able to fly directly from Las Cruces to Albuquerque onboard Advanced Air. The inaugural flight takes off at 6 a.m. and will cost passengers about $80 each way.

It's an exciting milestone for the city, meant to usher in future developments, including airport expansion and regional flights.