Air service helps drive the economy

The EGE Air Alliance, made up of both public and private partners, is proud to provide funding to support a vibrant local flight service program that ensures the Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) remains a vital part of the Eagle County economy. Our public-private partnership with Eagle County, local municipalities, Eagle County Airport, Vail Resorts, and numerous local businesses has helped the Alliance with our critical strategic goal of adding new incremental flight service from key destination markets to the Eagle County Regional Airport.

The EGE Air Alliance and Eagle County Regional Airport have recently announced an increase in air seat capacity for the 2017-2018 winter season. Additional seats have been added to flights from Chicago and Phoenix. New service from Salt Lake City and San Francisco have also been added.

The EGE Air Alliance continues to support the United summer Houston flight,

extended Dallas service through the fall and new winter service from Washington, DC and Phoenix. New flight service for 2017-18 includes service from Salt Lake City (Delta) and San Francisco (United) in addition to continued service from Washington, DC, and Phoenix, as well as expanded Chicago service and new spring service from Dallas (ensuring year-round service to DFW).

Chicago

Both American Airlines and United Airlines will increase their seat capacity from Chicago.

American Airlines will add a second daily flight for the holiday period, December 15, 2017 through January 7, 2018. This will be in addition to a daily flight already in place with both American Airlines and United Airlines at this time period, for a total of three daily flights from Chicago.

American Airline’s second Chicago operation will operate in-bound flights, Friday and Saturday, and, out-bound flights Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of the season, January 12, 2018 through April 1, 2018.

United Airline’s Chicago service will continue January 13, 2018 through April 1, 2018 on Saturdays and Sundays.

“This increase in service at peak demand time periods and days of the week represent a continued strength in the local Chicago market, as well as, a key hub to make connections from the Midwest and Northeast”, says Mike Brumbaugh, Chair of the EGE Air Alliance.

Phoenix

American Airline’s Phoenix service will expand for the 2017-2018 winter season, as well, with the following schedule:

  • Daily flights December 15, 2017 through January 7, 2018
  • Flights Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday January 11, 2018 through February 12, 2018.
  • Daily flights February 15, 2018 through April 2, 2018

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City flights will return next season for the first time since the 1994/1995 winter season. Delta will offer a daily flight with 69 seats for the Holiday period, December 21, 2017 through January 7, 2018. If performance is strong, this flight schedule could expand in the future.   

San Francisco

The route will operate roundtrip Saturdays and Sundays between Dec. 23 and Jan. 7, 2018 and again between Feb. 15 and March 25, 2018; and Saturdays only from Jan. 8 through Feb 14, 2018.

Economic benefits

The new and increased service will result in estimated economic impacts of over $25 million into Eagle County’s economy (based on RRC Associates intercept study research). In addition to the new flights and increased service from existing markets, service continues from Toronto, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York/JFK, Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Newark, and Washington Dulles.

Complete flight information, schedules, and route maps can be found at FlyVail.com. With fall flights to Dallas starting at $329, be sure to shop local before buying flights.

 

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com