MARATHON, Florida Keys – An almost seven-year void was filled Feb. 15 when commercial air service returned to the middle Florida Keys, with the first arrival of Delta Connection’s daily, nonstop roundtrip service from Atlanta to Florida Keys Marathon Airport.

The 40-passenger CRJ-200 aircraft was filled to capacity and arrived a minute ahead of schedule.

Several hundred Keys business people, politicians and residents cheered as the aircraft taxied to the ramp. The Marathon Chamber of Commerce welcomed passengers with tropical drinks and indigenous Keys cuisine. A woman, wearing a giant conch shell costume, greeted guests in the terminal.

For almost four years, businesses and residents of the Keys worked diligently with Monroe County (Florida Keys) officials to attract airlines back to the Marathon airport terminal, situated about 50 miles east, northeast of Key West International Airport. Before Thursday, the last regularly scheduled commercial flight departed Marathon April 1, 2000.

Almost $4 million in federal, state and private sector funding was amassed to refurbish the airport and make it ready for the resumption of commercial service. County officials agreed to waive ramp fees, provide rent-free counter space and free parking.

Both Gulfstream International Airlines, operating Continental Connection flights, and Delta Connection accepted inducements and announced plans during the first half of 2006 to begin service on Oct. 29, and Nov. 16 respectively.

But even though the agency had been involved in the planning process, last Aug. 1, Monroe County Airports Director Peter Horton received a letter from the Transportation Security Administration with devastating news -- the federal agency would not provide passenger and luggage security screeners, due to budgetary constraints.

The community protested loudly and enlisted the assistance of U.S. Congress Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and John Mica to convince TSA to reverse their negative decision. Efforts paid off and on Dec. 1, TSA’s Jack Wagner wrote Horton confirming plans to contract security-screening services for both Florida Keys Marathon and Key West International airports under a Screening Partnership Program. Wagner promised security screeners for Florida Keys Marathon by Feb. 15, even if the Screening Partnership Program was not in effect.

“Delta told me that (the rest of) February is booked at 63 percent and March is booked at 67 percent,” Horton said. “That’s absolutely outstanding for a new market. The return of air service to Florida Keys Marathon Airport is worth more than $40 millions on an annual basis to the economy, according to our constultants.”

Florida Keys Marathon Airport is centrally located between Key Largo and Key West International Airports.

“When I was coming down before, we were flying in to Miami and had to drive in,” said Katie Maginn of Atlanta. “This is so much better and I can start my vacation earlier.”

The approximately two-hour flights are to depart Atlanta daily at 10:40 a.m. Return trips from Florida Keys Marathon Airport to Atlanta are scheduled to leave each day at 1 p.m.

On Fridays, Delta adds a second flight that leaves Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. That aircraft is to remain overnight in Marathon and serve as a second departure Saturdays, leaving the Keys at 9 a.m.

Reservations and rate information are available at delta.com.