GARDEN CITY - Passenger boardings at the Garden City Regional Airport have soared since it began offering new routes to Dallas-Fort Worth this year. Airport officials recorded 16,051 boardings in the last eight months, surpassing the 11,690 for all of last year. Airport director of aviation Rachelle Powell says the increase started after American Eagle began offering round trips to Dallas-Fort Worth in April. Previously, Great Lakes Aviation offered flights to Denver. The Garden City Telegram reports (http://bit.ly/SAex1h) the increased business will allow the city access to more federal funding for the airport. Powell says because the airport exceeded 10,000 boardings this year, it will receive $1 million in federal funding for airport improvements. The money will be used for snow removal equipment and taxiway improvements in 2014.