Wood River Valley business interests are moving aggressively on a unified front to expand the area's air travel assets by courting a third regional airline.
Next week, aviation consultant Kent Myers will outline a strategy for persuading Frontier Airlines to inaugurate regular service between Denver and Hailey's Friedman Memorial Airport.
Funded by the private Blaine County Air Transportation Advisory Group, Myers and a valley delegation will meet with Frontier executives within weeks to make a pitch for the service.
This service is aimed at generating more resort travel and may facilitate business travel.
SkyWest Airlines and Horizon Air currently serve the area. A third airline would provide welcome additional business from the nation's biggest air hub for skiers. Sun Valley would become as easy to reach as resorts in Colorado.
Also, easy direct service to the Denver hub may provide a major argument for other businesses to relocate to the valley.
Meanwhile, the Friedman Airport board and the Federal Aviation Administration continue to move toward approval of a new, larger, all-weather airport that could accommodate greater air traffic.
Residents who want to support BCTAG's outreach to Frontier Airlines should attend one of the meetings Monday through Wednesday to add their voices of approval and show community unity.
Myers is scheduled to speak at three public meetings, at 2 p.m. Monday in the Limelight Room of the Sun Valley Lodge, at 5:30 p.m. Monday before the Ketchum City Council, and at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Blaine County Commission in the Old County Courthouse in Hailey.
