(MANHATTAN, KS – August 20, 2023) — American Airlines announced today that it will postpone the resumption of commercial air service to Manhattan Regional Airport from September 6 until Monday, September 25.

This later-than-anticipated restart date for commercial service is due to general contractor Clarkson Construction being behind on completing the ongoing runway reconstruction project in time for the original projected restart of service.

Reservation agents from American Airlines today are contacting customers who are impacted by this change. Flights that were reserved between September 6 and September 24 will be either rebooked to Kansas City’s airport or refunded.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this will cause to our customers,” said Manhattan Regional Airport Director Brandon Keazer. “I know many people were looking forward to the restart of service in time for the K-State football season, but please be assured we are doing everything we can to ensure the project finishes in time for the Big 12 home games in October and November.”

Keazer said the City is working on options that could lead to completing construction in advance of the September 25 date, but regardless American will not book flights during this period even if construction is wrapped up early.

While most of the “hard” construction work (excavation, rubblization, and pouring new concrete) has been completed on the project — which began in September 2022, with flights from Manhattan temporarily ending May 5, 2023 — much electrical work remains to be completed. This includes the installation of the runway edge lights, navigational aids, and runway and taxiway signs.

For more information about Manhattan Regional Airport, please visit flymhk.com. To book a flight through American Airlines on or after September 25, visit this website.