The Community Air Service Task Force, a joint effort between the Grand Junction Economic Partnership and the Chamber, received a report from InterVISTAS, a consultant hired by the Grand Junction Regional Airport to study passenger behavior in March. A purpose of the data gathering and analysis is to determine what opportunities for expansion of service may be viable. The concept of daily nonstop service to Los Angeles is still viable as close to 30% of the area’s passengers fly to the West Coast, but there may also be opportunities to expand current service as load factors average more than 80% for flights into and out of the airport.
Other significant findings included:
- Grand Junction is now the fourth largest airport for commercial service in Colorado
- The number of passengers have remained relatively steady for the past five years in spite of the economic turmoil in the area
- Load factors were at an all-time high in 2015 and exceeds the carrier/hub average in three nonstop markets
- 82% of Grand Junction area air service passengers fly out of Grand Junction Regional Airport
- Montrose is the number one market for passengers outside our immediate area with almost 27,000 enplanements from that city in 2015.
Next steps may include feasibility studies and scheduled visits to air carrier headquarters to discuss opportunities and how the community can mitigate risk of new or expanded service.
Click here to download full version of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce April 2016 Newsletter.