Alamogordo air service to continue

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Transportation is renewing New Mexico Airlines' contract to provide commercial air service to Alamogordo.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman made the announcement Thursday. The New Mexico Democrat says the service is important to the area's economy and is an asset to nearby Holloman Air Force Base.

Under the contract, the airline will provide two round trips each weekday and three round trips over each weekend to Albuquerque's international airport for an annual subsidy rate of more than $1 million.

The two-year contract will take effect at the start of new year.