LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — The Las Cruces City Council is pushing ahead with efforts aimed at determining what it would take to reestablish commercial air service for the southern New Mexico community.

Consultants told councilors during a recent work session that research indicates the Las Cruces airport could sustain two to four daily flights to Dallas, Phoenix or maybe both cities. The consultants identified American Airlines as a potential provider.

The consultants said conservative estimates indicate anywhere from 111 to 158 passengers could fly from Las Cruces each day to Dallas on American Airlines.

The city’s economic development department has been working with the consultants to determine the feasibility of restoring passenger service. The goal would be daily, regional commercial flights out of the Las Cruces airport.

There have been no scheduled passenger flights at the Las Cruces airport since Westward Airways ceased operations in 2005. Historically, 11 airlines provided commercial service at the airport from the late 1940s to 2005.

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