SkyWest To Offer Jet From Pocatello To SLC
Air travelers in Pocatello will soon be able to travel by jet to Salt Lake City, SkyWest Airlines announced Monday.
The once-daily roundtrip flight by the 50-passenger, Bombardier-manufactured Canadair Regional Jet 200 will complement the two daily roundtrips aboard the EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft on weekdays starting June 1.
?This June, Pocatello customers will enjoy all the comfort, convenience and speed of our state-of-the-art jet aircraft,? said Mike Thompson, SkyWest Airlines vice president of market development. ?We?re pleased to make southeastern Idaho air travel better than ever with continued access to Delta?s global network, now onboard the jet.?
Airport Manager David Allen said that on the 7 a.m. flight, which can only fit 30 people, there are regularly about 10 extra people who want to get on the flight but can’t.
Allen is hoping to sway them away from the road into the air.
Rita Galvan flew into Pocatello on Tuesday for her first-ever visit. Having the convenience of a flight into town was the perfect choice for her.
“I’m not the type of person that likes to go on buses — I’d rather just go point A to point B. That’s it,” Galvan said.
But she said, a jet would be a definite upgrade.
“It’s a peace of mind.”
Allen isn’t worried about filling the plane with travelers like Galvan, because the airport was awarded a Small Community Air Service Development Grant last year. The $580,000 grant will help to heavily market the flight, and provide a revenue guarantee if it’s not immediately successful.
“Between those two things we think we’ll build up the base though and make that flight successful,” Allen said.
He said providing conveniences and a positive travel experience is what will keep the airport competitive.
“And that’s what we want to do, is just start building those numbers and making people come in and try it. Once they try it, they’re going to like the convenience, we think,” he said.
But with options like the Salt Lake Express, convenience might not be enough to beat the price, for some.
Salt Lake Express rider Ujwol Bajracharya said his bags will stay on the bus.
“A trip to-and-from Salt Lake with the Express is about $90, so that’s actually not bad. I don’t mind the car ride if it’s going to save some money,” Bajracharya said.
Allen said he wants to expand jet services to all three flights out of Pocatello, and plans to build a new jetway for travelers.
The flight will start in June. Allen said that prices will not change.
Customers can book flights at www.delta.com or by calling Delta reservations at (800) 221-1212.
