Business talks, airline listens:

Late night flight adjusted

In the wake of a visit to North Iowa by a representative of Great Lake Airlines, service by the provider is being adjusted to better meet the needs of business travelers.

“We received some good news from Great Lakes Airlines that effective Nov. 4 they are scheduling the late night departure from Minneapolis at 9:55 p.m., which is what many of the businesses had requested when Monica 

Tayor-Lee was in our area earlier this month,” said Tim Coffey, executive director of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.  “This will allow our business travelers to conduct a full day of business on the east coast and make a return connection home the same day.”

Currently the last flight between the Minneapolis and Mason City Airports leaves at 8:30 p.m.

Mason City Airport Manager Pam Osgood said she was “thrilled” by the decision and feels the move will help not only local travelers, but the airlines itself.

Taylor-Lee was in North Iowa a few weeks ago and her stops included a Clear Lake City Council meeting, as well as a visit with business leaders such as TeamQuest and Kingland Systems in Clear Lake.

Great Lakes became the commercial air service for Mason City on April 11, replacing Delta Airlines when it chose to stop service to the Mason City Airport.   The airline operates four daily flights out of Mason City Monday through Friday and three flights daily on Saturday and Sunday.

Great Lakes serves 48 cities in 14 states. Thirty-five of those cities, including Mason City/Clear Lake, are subsidized under the federal Essential Air Service program. The airline is the largest provider in the country under the Essential Air Service program.

Travelers can book their flights through www.flygreatlakes.com.