A new route and a new partner in avaiation in the future for the Regional Airport, south of Thief River Falls in Rocksbury Township.

Beginning after Easter, Great Lakes Airlines will begin direct service from Thief River Falls to Minneapolis, that also ties in passengers from Devils Lake, North Dakota.

Airport Manager, Joe Hedrick, says the early morning route will depart Devils Lake with a stop in Thief River Falls on it’s way to the cities. The late night route will drop off passengers in Thief River Falls as it returns to Devils Lake. And at mid-day? A third flight, this one round-trip, to and from Thief River Falls only.

For Thief River Falls travelers that makes it a straight shot to the “Cities” every time and Hedrick says that is a real improvement over the current route, an out-of-the-way flight which includes a stop on Minnesota’s Iron Range.

And Hedrick says, for the first time in the history of the airport, passengers departing Thief River Falls will be able to book on multiple airlines, including Delta, United and American – passengers will continue to receive a single ticket that will include baggage transfer.

And Hedrick says there is no need to delay booking. He says Great Lakes will honor Delta tickets to make a smooth transition between carriers.