AirTran adds destination to Branson Airport service

AirTran Airways has added an upper Midwest destination to its service from Branson Airport.

The airport announced this morning that the low-cost airline will offer daily nonstop, roundtrip flights to Milwaukee when the airport opens May 11. AirTran is Branson Airport's first carrier and also is committed to providing daily service to and from Atlanta.

Flights will depart Branson at 2 p.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 3:25 p.m., and they will depart Milwaukee at 10:15 a.m. and arrive in Branson at 11:50 a.m. The introductory one-way fare is $89, according to a news release.

Connections are available through Milwaukee to Baltimore, New York City, Minneapolis, Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

"Expanding our service footprint to Milwaukee means the traveling public will now have easier access not just to the Midwest, but better access to both coasts as well," airport CEO Steve Peet said in the release.

Branson Airport also announced today that it has reached an exclusive agreement with Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurants to provide all food concessions - including a full-service restaurant - and catering services. The restaurant will be owned and operated by Omaha, Neb.-based Cutchall Management Co., which also owns the Famous Dave's at Branson Landing.