Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Friedman flights
decline, but
passengers increase

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In 1993, the airport recorded 65,979 operations.
The most, 70,257, were recorded in 1996.

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By PAT MURPHY
Express Staff Writer

Although the total number of flights in and out of Friedman Memorial Airport has been declining steadily over the past 11 years, the number of passengers departing on airline flights has been growing.

The decline in flight operations is because of fewer general aviation takeoffs and landings. Airport officials attribute that fact partly to the economy and partly to more accurate records maintained by the airport’s control tower.

Summaries provided by airport manager Rick Baird to the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority shows:

• For 2003, Friedman recorded 44,739 aircraft operations (each one a takeoff or landing), down from 55,897 in 2002. In 1993, the airport recorded 65,979 operations. The most, 70,257, were recorded in 1996.
  
   
• Skywest Airlines continues to carry the lion’s share of passengers out of Friedman. In 2003 Skywest enplaned a total of 52,045 passengers on its service to Salt Lake City, compared to 49,619 for 2002.
  
   
• Horizon Air, which has fewer flights than Skywest, chalked up 24,921 passengers enplaned in 2003, compared to 23,440 in 2002. Horizon’s smallest passenger loads were in 2001 – 15,890.
  
   
• The busiest three months during the year for the airlines for passenger loads are March, July and August.

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