Next month, the Joplin airport will offer three new destinations for travelers. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Starting Tuesday, June 1st, flyers in the Four States will be able to fly directly to Chicago, Denver, and Houston using United Airlines. Each destination will have a departing and returning flight starting at 9 am, leaving to Chicago. The last flight of the day will be Denver, taking off at 7:30 pm.

The change in destination cities is from analysis completed by Volaire Aviation Consulting comparing when the airport was a single and dual hub. The research showed that hub service increased in Midwestern flight by over 400%. Also, travel to the northeast grew by 53% and to the southeast by almost 30%. Also, over the past ten years, international travel increased by over 40%. Flights to Dallas will no longer be offered. The change will mark the first time in nearly 30-years that the Joplin airport has been a hub for three destinations. For KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro in Webb City