Photos by Ray Newton
The 12:30 p.m. inaugural flight of Boutique Air from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) had city and community leaders celebrating the arrival of a second commercial carrier into the Quad City area.
More than 40 invited guests greeted the Feb. 15 arrival of the eight-passenger, single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft.
PRC Management Analyst Kristi Miller introduced Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli, who said, “Boutique Air gives our residents an excellent alternative for going to or returning from Phoenix for whatever the reason. Our citizens are appreciative of this option.”
PRC Advisory Committee Vice Chair Frank Newman echoed Mengarelli, noting that a prestigious airline like Boutique Air serving the greater community is an asset for everyone.
Brian Kondrad, Boutique Air vice president of operations, was given a certificate by Prescott Chamber of Commerce President Sheri Heiney. She said she represented the entire Quad City area in welcoming the carrier.
Konrad spoke briefly, saying the airline was pleased to be serving PRC passengers. He emphasized that Boutique would offer twice-daily round-trip flights. “The actual flight takes about 25 minutes,” he said. Flights are offered Sundays through Fridays.
Kondrad said passengers on Pilatus PC-12 planes would “truly enjoy the experience flying private for the cost of commercial.” The Swiss-built aircraft are recognized for world-class engineering and safety.
Boutique Air operates the second largest fleet of PC-12s in the nation. The company is headquartered in San Francisco.
Having a second commercial carrier select Prescott is just another example of the recent success of PRC.
PRC was named 2020 Airport of the Year by the Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group. A year earlier, it received the “2019 Outstanding Airport Award” from the Federal Aviation Administration Western Pacific Region.
Even when commercial flights across the nation were reduced in 2020, 27,000 commercial passengers used PRC. They were enplaning and deplaning on SkyWest Airlines (operating as United Express), which operates daily flights to and from Los Angeles International and to Denver International.
PRC Director Robin Sobotta noted the new $15 million passenger terminal officially opens this spring. Passengers will use modern and technologically sophisticated facilities such as an indoor baggage handling system and full-body scanner equipment, which will improve security line activities.