Columbia adds air service

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- American Airlines plans to offer daily flights to Chicago and Dallas from Columbia as the mid-Missouri city works to improve its airport.

City leaders say American Eagle will offer two daily nonstop flights to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and one daily nonstop route to Chicago O'Hare. Service on 50-seat passenger jets begins in mid-February.

Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid says the added flights are contingent on city council approval of an airport improvement plan. City leaders announced the new flights Thursday and plan to release details about the expansion plan Friday.

A recent city study estimates that renovating the airport south of Columbia will cost at least $17 million. The airport is now served only by Delta Air Lines, with a Frontier flight to Orlando starting soon.