News Flash

(MANHATTAN, KS – January 20, 2026) —  Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) set new all‑time passenger marks in 2025, recording 83,220 enplanements (boardings) and 166,623 total passengers on its American Airlines services. Both figures surpassed the previous records set in 2024—an increase of about 2% year over year.“MHK closed the year with a new all‑time passenger travel record, marking our second consecutive record year,” said Airport Director Brandon Keazer. “This milestone underscores sustained regional demand and strong traveler confidence in Manhattan Regional Airport. We appreciate the community’s support and look forward to building on this momentum in 2026.”In addition to record growth in passenger traffic, MHK reached several operational and infrastructure milestones that strengthened service for the region. May 2025 set the all‑time monthly record with 8,360 enplanements—the first month in airport history to surpass 8,000 boardings. For the full year, the airport recorded 30,568 aircraft operations, including 119 military and athletic charter flights, reflecting a broad mix of commercial, general aviation, and charter activity."The Manhattan Regional Airport continues to grow as an important asset for our community, serving the needs of residents as well as our military, university and business partners," said Mayor Susan Adamchak. "The infrastructure enhancements of expanded runway, additional hangars, and soon a new taxiway all contribute to the safety and convenience of flying through MHK. With direct flights to Chicago and Dallas on ever-larger planes, we have come a long way from taking a six-seater to Topeka!"Early in 2025, MHK opened eight new general aviation hangars—the airport’s first new hangars in more than two decades—expanding capacity for based aircraft, increasing hangar rental revenue, and driving higher fuel sales. The project received strong community support and was fully funded through a Federal Aviation Administration grant and the State of Kansas Build Kansas Fund.Design also began in 2025 for the reconstruction of Taxiway Alpha, the primary taxiway serving the main runway. Design is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2026, after which the airport will seek construction bids and apply for an FAA grant expected to fund 95% of the total project cost, including both design and construction. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2026 and continue into 2027, with phased work to avoid disruptions to flight operations. This project is essential to maintaining safe, efficient airfield operations and ensuring long‑term reliability.About Manhattan Regional AirportManhattan Regional Airport (MHK) serves the City of Manhattan, Fort Riley, Kansas State University, and the Flint Hills region with daily American Airlines service and convenient connections to the national air transportation system.

For more information about Manhattan Regional Airport, or to book your next flight, visit flymhk.com.

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(MANHATTAN, Kan. – October 22, 2025) — The City of Manhattan’s Department of Public Utilities once again has received several state and national awards recently for excellence in wastewater treatment processes.

Manhattan was selected as the 2025 recipient of two awards this year from the Kansas Water Environment Association (KWEA). The City received both the Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Award (for plants that process more than 3 million gallons per day) and the Outstanding Biosolids Management Program.

The City previously was honored in 2010, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2024 for its Biosolids program, and it also received the Class 5 Treatment Plant awards in 2001, 2002, 2015 (honorable mention) and 2024.

Randy DeWitt, the City’s interim director of public utilities, and Environmental Compliance Manager Abdu Durar, along with several other members of the department, received the awards on behalf of the City at an August 27 awards luncheon at the 2025 KWEA & KsAWWA Annual Joint Water and Wastewater Conference.

The City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) also was honored by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) during a July 23 ceremony during NACWA’s 2025 Utility Leadership Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The WWTP was recognized by NACWA for its outstanding level of compliance and performance related to its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. A NPDES permit is required for wastewater treatment facilities to discharge into waters of the United States. It outlines requirements that ensure discharges do not harm water quality or human health.

The plant was awarded the NACWA Peak Performance Platinum Award for achieving 100% compliance at the Gold level with no permit violations for the entire seven-year period (2018-2024).

This is the third consecutive year that the WWTP received the national NACWA award, and the second year in a row Manhattan was honored with all three awards.

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Photo: Front Row, From Left: KWEA Past President Alex Darby; Interim Director of Public Utilities Randy DeWitt; Biosolids/Lift Station Supervisor Daniel Tidwell, Environmental Compliance Manager Abdu Durar, KWEA Plant Operations & Maintenance Committee Chair Dave Harper; Back Row, From Left: Wastewater Plant Operators Supervisor Eugene Morehead, Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Clint Bivens, Wastewater Treatment Plant Mechanics Supervisor Tim Grecu, Environmental Compliance Specialist Jaden Groene, and Environmental Compliance Specialists Ben Patterson, receive awards on behalf of the City at an August 27 awards luncheon in the Sunflower Ballroom at Hotel Topeka.

You’re invited to the City of Manhattan’s Budget Open House — a free, come-and-go event where you can explore the City’s budget and see the people and equipment that keep our community running. We offer two locations and times:

• 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 16 — Douglass Activity Center, 925 Yuma Street
• 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 21 — Eisenhower Recreation Center, 2850 Kirkwood Drive

Each City department will have its own Budget Open House station with displays, handouts, and department directors available to answer your questions.

A central station will explain the budget in detail, including how your property tax dollar is divided and how home valuation affects taxes. If you wish to provide your address, staff can produce a detailed breakdown of your tax bill.

Outside, enjoy a Touch a Truck display with fire trucks, Public Works equipment, and more! No registration is needed — just drop by and learn more about your City.

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