After 2 months grounded, air service at the Central Nebraska Regional Airport got off the ground.

The first Allegiant air flight from Grand Island to Las Vegas took off Thursday afternoon.

Allegiant left Lincoln because of competition.

On G.I.'s inaugural flight, the 150-seat plane was just a few seats shy of being completely full.

"There's so many emotions right now," said CNRA Executive Director Michael Olson. "Finally we're going to have affordable leisure air service to Las Vegas."

The inaugural Vegas flight brought Dave Gartner to this airport for the first time.

"I hope they get more flights to other places as well out of here," said Gartner, of Hastings. "It's nice knowing that when you get home, 15 to 20 minutes, you're home already."

Airport officials expect the new air service to bring in even more travelers, possibly even topping 10,000 annual inplanements.

"That gives us a million dollar grant every year from the FAA and currently we're getting $150,000," said Olson.

The benefits are also rolling into local travel agencies.

"Presently we are selling the flight tickets and the packages out of our office and people are calling her to check on that so that's positive for us," said Gary Gannon, co-owner of Gannon Travel Associates.

Officials hope the new air service will show the airport in a positive light to attract other potential airlines.

Flights will take off from Grand Island at 12:40 Thursday afternoons and return from Las Vegas at noon on Sundays.

Meanwhile G.I.'s daily service is still up in the air.

Great Lakes Airlines is in negotiations to lease a plane.

Until that's resolved it's unknown when daily service will start, but when it does it will be the first time the airport has had two airlines in nearly a decade.