In 2002, the City of Flagstaff began work on an Airport Master Plan, which was completed in 2007. A couple of interesting things came out of that study. First was a short-term goal to reach 70,000 annual enplanements (defined as the total number of passengers boarding an aircraft). In 2010, during the time we had two air service providers (Horizon Air and US Airways), there were 68,000 enplanements at the Flagstaff Airport, our highest number of enplanements to date. Additionally, in 2002, the economic impact of the Flagstaff Airport was determined to be $100 million annually. Although we have not done a recent study, the Airport continues to generate higher numbers in every financial area than it did in 2002. In addition, the Flagstaff Airport has brought in over $24 million in federal grant money for construction alone in the last 10 years.
Looking at more immediate goals, it was projected that Flagstaff Airport would be putting 124,000 people a year on planes departing from here. A recent passenger analysis study shows that this is highly achievable. This study captured the number of airline tickets purchased in local area zip codes, and we exceed 650,000 annually. However, over 80 percent of the 650,000 “catchment area” choose to drive elsewhere and fly from alternate cities. We are working very hard to provide new routes and carriers to direct destinations other than solely Phoenix. We also continue to offer free parking, and you cannot get much closer to home than flying into your own airport.
With winter fast approaching, our passenger counts go down dramatically. If we are to get new air service providers and/or additional direct routes, we need to support them year around. So as winter nears, now is a great time to encourage friends and family to fly to Flagstaff. There is so much to see and do here and it’s a great opportunity to expand our base and encourage air travel. The Flagstaff CVB has a new website www.flagstaffarizona.org that promotes all the local amenities and things to see and do in our region. We all know of several favorite places to eat, great local shops and fabulous attractions to visit. Don’t be selfish; share these with those you know and encourage them to spend the winter months in Flagstaff!
Time is a valuable commodity, and spending that time with friends and family having fun in Flagstaff is equally valuable. So call, email or send a card to everyone you know – let them know Flagstaff is not only open for the winter, but is also the best place in the world to fly into and stay for a few days. We may not keep the lights on all night for dark skies, but we will keep the Flagstaff Airport open and turn the lights on long enough for you to get here. Come and join us, you will be glad you did! FBN
Barney Helmick is the Director at Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. He can be reached at 928-556-1234 x10.