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It will be the first time American has provided the nonstop route during summer months.
“People have really responded favorably to that route, so it’s coming back earlier,” said Marty Lenss, Cedar Rapids’ airport director. “And it looks to be moving to a year-round route, so that’s great.”
For the last two winters, American offered nonstop flights between Cedar Rapids and Phoenix from November until April. This winter, American offered a second daily flight.
The service starting in June will have one daily flight, with a second one coming in November.
Lenss said the many “snowbirds” in Cedar Rapids who have winter homes in Arizona and American’s connecting flights out of Phoenix have boosted demand for the route.
The Eastern Iowa Airport s Travel Well health screening program has not blocked any passengers from flying during the first four weeks of the program, airport officials said Monday morning.
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Eastern Iowa Airport is implementing a COVID-19 screening for passengers using CARES Act funds.
Flyers must submit to a health questionnaire and a temperature check before proceeding to the gate.
Airport employees that work in the secure area will also go through the screening.
The check-in process at one regional airport now includes a temperature check and health questionnaire.
Eastern Iowa Airport is moving forward with a plan to use some of the $22.8 million it received under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to form a COVID-19 screening checkpoint for departing passengers.
Starting January 25, flyers will undergo the pre-flight health screening conducted by staff from the Mercy Medical Center in nearby Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The 10-second screening will include a temperature check and a health questionnaire to determine potential exposure to or contraction of the virus.