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FLAGSTAFF (AZFamily) — Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is spending more than $1.3 million to attract an airline to fly direct to either Denver or Salt Lake City.
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The airport is the closest commercial airport to the Grand Canyon and has seen passenger numbers grow year over year.
Commercial flights from Flagstaff currently only go to Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Travelers cite limited options
Florida tourist Terri Tapper flew into Flagstaff to travel across the high country with her sister and nephews.
“Close proximity to where we were going cause we were going to Sedona first,” Tapper told Arizona’s Family.
She said the trip was amazing, but they’re having headaches getting back home.
Flight delays forced Tapper’s group to change their connecting flight, and they will arrive home 12 hours later than planned.
“Small airport, so few choices of flights,” Tapper said.
Airport working to add routes
However, the airport is trying to change that and expand air travel options.
Claire Harper, a spokesperson for the airport, said that recruiting an airline is “very competitive,” so the $1.3 million will help show the demand is there.
“Airlines want to go where the money is. Being a smaller market, we have less money, and this grant makes us competitive,” Harper said.
The airport received a $800,000 federal grant, while the remaining funds came from community members and local businesses.
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Because Denver and Salt Lake City are major airline hubs, airport officials said the new route would give flyers more options for cross-country travel and bring more tourists and their money to Flagstaff.
Passenger numbers rising
Last year, 82,000 people boarded a plane in Flagstaff, up 5% from the previous year.
Harper said adding another direct flight will give flyers more options and should lower prices.
“The new air service being competitive and bringing in more air service has been known to lower air fares in the area,” Harper said.
Tapper said she was considering flying into Phoenix next time, but said more flight options in Flagstaff would help.
“Without a doubt, yes it would,” Tapper said.
Dallas route added this summer
Harper said the airport also had success this summer with the addition of its first Airbus service to Dallas, which added more flight times and seats.
The airport hopes to bring that program back next summer.
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