Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 7.9.14

30 | JULY 9, 2014
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Passengers board a SkyWest Delta Connection at the Glacier Park International Airport. BEACON FILE PHOTO AIRPORT
Continued from Page 6
Martin said the goal is to secure the Portland flights as a year-round service, which could be a viable option.
GPIA has a new partner that’s ral- lying support for securing more flights with major airlines. The valley-wide group known as AERO — a nonprofit named the Airline Enhancement Re- gional Organization — has raised near- ly $300,000 in donations that could be used to leverage direct flights to major markets. The money would be used as a private guarantee for an airline and is a common practice across the U.S.
“The important thing is that with AERO we have another tool in our tool- box,” Martin said. “The summer market is very strong on its own and sells itself. And we have a very strong emerging winter market. But the carriers aren’t convinced of that.”
With the help of AERO, Martin hopes GPIA will continues to growth as a regional terminal.
“It speaks to the commitment of the businesses and community in the val- ley,” she said. “It’s very promising. It really does take a village because we’re competing with 400-some other air- ports in this country for air service.”
Another added boost in recent years is the well-known Canadian influence. Airfares in Canada are historically more expensive than in the U.S., and an in- creasing number of residents from up north are making the trek.
In the last three years, GPIA has seen a noticeable influx of Canadians driving to Kalispell to fly, either domestically or overseas, Martin said.
Another trend that Martin has seen is the expanding summer season. Tra- ditionally the months of June and July were the busiest for tourists, but now it’s carrying through October, she said.
“The seasons are longer than they have been in the past,” she said.
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AIR TRAVEL
Passengers at the State’s Largest Airports JANUARY-MAY
LOCATION
Bozeman Billings Missoula Great Falls Kalispell Helena Butte
STATEWIDE TOTAL
# % VS. ’13
340,581 6.6% 306,403 0.7% 207,893 5.1% 145,174 4% 136,565 12.5% 77,479 2.9% 23,067 21.4%
1,255,500 5.5%
Fresh Fruit
Save the date, Saturday July 19th
Summer Sangria Party
• Peaches
• Rainier & Bing Cherries
• Homemade Pies and Cobblers • Sweet Corn
• Melons
GEWÜRZTRAMINER 13% alc/vol