Private Plane Traffic Down At Jackson Hole Airport

Private plane traffic at Jackson Hole Airport has declined since 2006, and experts say it’s probably because of the recession and high fuel prices.

The Jackson Hole News and Guide reported Wednesday (http://bit.ly/pT562n ) that private plane takeoffs and landings dropped 28 percent between 2006 and 2008. Operations have increased since then, but the 2010 figure was still 14 percent below 2006.

Private plane flights are down nationwide. Federal Aviation Administration statics show total hours flown declined by more than 14 percent between 2006 and 2009.

Jackson Hole Airport board member Jerry Blann says many companies are opting for shares of private planes instead of buying one outright.

Airport officials say aviation fuel costs about $1 more per gallon in Jackson than at a nearby airport in Driggs, Idaho.

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Information from: Jackson Hole News And Guide, http://www.jhnewsandguide.com