Photo caption: Prescott Regional Airport (formerly known as Prescott Municipal Airport) has become an important hub for Essential Air Services. United Express (operated by SkyWest Airlines) is projected to fly more than 25,000 commercial passengers from the airport to either Denver or Los Angles during calendar year 2019. (Photo by Ray Newton)
After only six months of commercial air service provided by United Express (as operated by SkyWest Airlines), commercial passenger enplanements are exceeding expectations.
That’s the word from Robin Sobotta, Ph.D., and PRC Airport Director.
She reported that based on data from early March, Prescott Regional Airport (PRC) “…continued to see strong numbers of enplanements—people boarding in Prescott; and deplanements—people getting off in Prescott.”
Commercial air services from Prescott operate daily to Los Angeles and Denver, with return flights each day.
Sobotta reported that in March, PRC was only 6,390 passengers away from reaching the 10,000 enplanements necessary during the calendar year in order to retain the “Primary-Non Hub” status and receive large Federal subsidies for Essential Air Service.
In fact, it is speculated that PRC will likely hit 25,000 enplanements during the calendar year 2019.
It was also reported that during January and February, traditionally two of the slowest air travel months for passengers after the holidays, PRC had a load factor of 63.8 percent in January—1,982 passengers; and 63.9 percent in February—1,628 passengers. This was despite weather cancellations and other related weather issues.
Projections are that bookings to both Denver and Los Angeles will see most flights full. Projections beyond that – into July—are equally strong.
Because passenger growth has been so dynamic and because the current airport terminal is more than 70-years- old, The City of Prescott is moving forward to construct an $11.9 million terminal building.
For additional flight information, visit United’s website at www.united.com; or by calling Reservations at 1-800-864-8311.
