Branson Airport adds service to Rockford

Branson Airport added its second new destination in less than a week with Monday's announcement of holiday service to and from Rockford, Ill.

ExpressJet Airlines will offer scheduled public charter service three times a week from the Chicago Rockford International Airport between Nov. 7 and Dec. 14. The same airline announced Sept. 17 that it will carry a similarly scheduled service to and from Shreveport, La.

Rockford flights will start at $89 each way on 50-seat Embraer 145 regional jets. The service coincides with Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas season, which features Christmas-themed shows as well as holiday lighting displays and special events.

"There is a reason why the Travel Channel recognized Branson as 'One of America's Most Christmasy Places' and with the addition of this nonstop service you can get here faster and easier than ever before," Airport Executive Director Jeff Bourk said in a news release.

Rockford is the fifth destination for the Branson Airport; Sun Country Airlines flies three times a week to Minneapolis and twice weekly to Dallas, while AirTran flies daily to Atlanta.