GEORGETOWN, S.C. —  Last week, American Eagle Airlines announced it will begin nonstop service between Myrtle Beach International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

This week, it was revealed the Grand Strand will be connected by air to Grand Rapids, Mich. when Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air begins flights to and from Myrtle Beach.

There are already flights from Myrtle Beach to Michigan, but this is the first to Grand Rapids.

The non-stop flights from Myrtle Beach will end at Allegiant's new hub at Gerald R. Ford International Airport and will begin April 30.

At least initially, the flights will take place on Mondays and Fridays only and will depart Grand Rapids at 11:30 a.m. and arrive at Myrtle Beach International Airport at 1:30 p.m.

Flights leaving Myrtle Beach will depart at 7:10 p.m. and arrive in Grand Rapids at 9:10 p.m.

Myrtle Beach leaders say they believe the new flights will help improve the tourism market.

Brad Dean, president and CEO of the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, said the low cost flights allows visitors to get to the Grand Strand more affordably and more quickly.

 Allegiant already provides flights from Myrtle Beach to Huntington, W.Va., and Allentown, Pa. with additional routes expected in the near future.

According to press reports, Allegiant, which operated in Myrtle Beach from April through October in 2009, carried 13,487 passengers to the beach during those seven months.