Yuma International Airport receives $775,000 grant
Funding could add new flight destination
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Yuma County Airport Authority will receive a $775,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The funding can be used to add new non-stop service to Denver via United Airlines. The grant does not guarantee those flights, but it could help attract additional providers.
Denver is the second most popular destination for Yuma travelers. In addition, it's a well-rounded hub with connections to more than 500 daily flights to more than 160 different destinations.
"Yuma should be very proud for being selected for this grant," said Airport Director, Gladys Brown. "It is an example of how the entire community came together to generate a sound application submittal with a designated route specific to the application."
The grant is port of the Small Community Air Service Development Program. The airport's grant application identified Yuma, and the surrounding region, as being geographically isolated with limited access to the national air transportation system. It included letters of support from state and federal representatives. Public and private partners also pledged financial support. Those partners include:
- Yuma Regional Medical Center
- The Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
- Yuma County
- The City of Yuma
- Visit Yuma
- The El Centro Chamber of Commerce
- The Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation
- Gowan Company
In spite of the exciting development, Director Brown urges the travelling public to exercise patience.
“It is a very long process and can take up to 8-10 years to gain additional air service, but there has been some positive interest and response,” says Brown.
“It is important I manage everyone’s expectations about the process going forward because service will not happen overnight. It is our understanding additional gates are being constructed in Denver and United is working to acquire additional aircraft which could take up to a year or more. During that time the airport will undergo negotiations with the United team for new service."
