KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Every wonder why Cape Air in Kirksville only flies to Saint Louis? That was the question you wanted answered in Monday’s “Facebook Story of the Day”.

As you know Cape Air provides three flights, seven days a week to St. Louis. Over the years, passenger usage has increased, so why hasn’t the airline expanded to other big cities? According to the airline, it has to do with the contract it’s awarded and of course, the price to operate that airline in cities.

“The reason is because the contract that provides air service to Kirksville is awarded by the federal government. Each carrier that bids to provide the service, bids the routes that make the most sense for both the community and the airline,” said Stacey Ross the Midwest Marketing Manager for Cape Air. “For example, Cape Air flies Cessna 402's, given the distance between Chicago and Kirksville and then taking into account the equipment that we use; Chicago isn't an ideal destination for us, and it’s also very expensive for an airline to operate in Chicago.”

So if they look at the price to operate their airline from a terminal at other airports, why don’t we have flights to smaller cities like Quincy or Ottumwa?

“Kirksville is part of the Essential Air Service Program which stipulates that cities like Kirksville be connected to the National Transportation Hub, and so there is a stipulation for the size of the airport that the service has to go to,” said Ross. “I believe that it's a minimum medium size hub, so a city like Quincy or Ottumwa wouldn't fall under that stipulation.”

Ross also says they picked St. Louis over Kansas City because it offers more frequency and capacity which equates to more convenient connections for Kirksville passengers.