By Rose Gruenbacher and Zach DeLoach

While Manhattan’s airspace is significantly less congested than that of the nation’s capital, Manhattan Regional Airport and Marshall Army Airfield on Fort Riley are a mere 8 miles apart. Furthermore, American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines and the operator of the jet from Wichita, provides service to MHK, and Fort Riley is home to Black Hawk helicopters.

Manhattan Regional Airport director Brandon Keazer told The Mercury there weren’t enough details known about Wednesday’s crash to identify similarities with potential local situations, but he explained how MHK and Fort Riley air traffic controllers maintain safe travel.

Keazer said the MHK air traffic control tower monitors the airspace and helps aircraft steer clear of one another as they arrive and depart. Because MHK and Fort Riley are so close, he said the two airports have to coordinate frequently about all aircraft in the area.

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