The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Summer flights, winter bookings, airport preparation
Summer Service
Starting next June and running through mid-August 2014 there will be twice-weekly United Airlines flights from Houston to the Gunnison Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC).
Both flights will stay at GUC overnight, coming in Wednesday afternoon and leaving Thursday morning, and coming in Saturday and leaving Sunday.
“This year will be a test run during the busiest part of the summer,” said Gunnison Rural Transportation Authority (RTA) executive director Scott Truex. “If it succeeds like we think it will, we’ll expand service in the future. Likely that means stretching out the season and maybe trying to get an increased number of flights per week.”
The RTA’s decision to promote summer air service comes as a result of a $350,000 matching grant from the federal Department of Transportation. The grant is designed to help pay for airline guarantees and expand year-round service. It requires a local match of up to $175,000 each year for two years, but Truex said the RTA does not believe meeting the grant requirements will be a problem.
“The grant will cover half the cost of the service,” he said. “We can take the remainder out of the fund balance without impacting winter service.”
In fact, said Truex, the summer service will likely complement already-existing winter flights. “Having consistent year-round service will allow for visitors and second-home owners to create a deeper connection with the Gunnison Valley,” he said. “Specifically, we see these flights as a benefit to second-home owners. Houston is our largest base for second-home owners and providing increased service and easier access to that group could have positive ramifications for the local economy.”
Summer flights will be on a 70-passenger regional jet, and will run from June 21 through August 10. While the service is pretty much a done deal, Truex said, the RTA is still waiting on the final paperwork to arrive from the DOT and to be signed by the county, which should happen any day now.
Winter Service
According to CBMR airline consultant Jeff Moffett, the 2013-2014 winter air program for the Houston flight is currently pacing three points ahead of last year.
“Overall we’re about 30 percent load factor up from 25 percent last year,” he said.
RTA air consultant Kent Myers added, “Fares are increasing and fuel prices are dropping. Just looking at what’s happening now, I don’t see fuel costs as impacting us this winter. I think it’s going to be under control. We’re already looking better than last year, and there’s a chance that if it snows it will cover up all our sins.”
The American flight from Dallas and the United flight from Denver also seeing a slightly higher overall booking for the season when compared to the same point last year, according to Moffett.
Airport Update
At the airport, Rick Lamport, airport manager, said staff is readying for winter flights and an increased number of travelers using the facility. To combat runway icing, Lamport said, a small deicing truck has already been installed and made operational at the airfield.
“A new, bigger truck will arrive in late January or early February,” he said. “The larger truck will be faster and more efficient, requiring perhaps only one pass, while the smaller spreader may take four or five.”
Lamport is also working to improve food and beverage offerings inside the terminal He has entered into an agreement with the Gunnysack for the restaurant to be open from 11 a.m. until the last flight in the afternoon, and is investigating the possibility of placing vending machines with hot drinks and snacks on the other side of the security checkpoint.
