SAN LUIS VALLEY — Denver Air Connection will seek federal funding under the Essential Air Service program to continue serving the San Luis Valley Regional Airport with passenger service. Jon Coleman, a pilot and spokesman for the airline has told the Valley Courier the carrier may seek funding to serve the airport for an additional four years.
Alamosa County Administrator Roni Wisdom said, "We will work closely with the FAA and the proposers to make sure we have an airline in place by the end of this contract."
The Essential Air Service (EAS) program was established in 1978 to ensure that smaller communities have access to the national air transportation service and provide subsidies when necessary. Earlier this year, the program survived a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to severely curtail the federal program.
In March 2022, Denver Air Connection submitted a bid proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking $5.2 million in EAS funding to serve Alamosa for two years. The airline was awarded the funding and began the two-year service in June 2022.
Currently, the airline provides service between Alamosa and Denver with round-trip advance fares of $198. The airline partners with United Airlines and American Airlines for connecting service worldwide. Denver Air Connection provides service to 16 destinations directly. In November, Denver International Airport celebrated DAC's service at the airport with a Facebook post, "Our friends Denver Air Connection have kept us flying to nearby destinations in Colorado and neighboring states for 8 years!"
Denver Air Connection provides service with the Embraer 145LR jets. With 20 years in operation, over 26 million flight hours, in service with 36 airlines in 26 countries. The ERJ-145 has a 50-seat capacity and a 1,550-mile range fully loaded. The jets underwent an Embraer refurbishment in the Summer of 2019 resulting in like new aircraft according to the airline. The 30-passenger Dornier 328 jet also serves the Denver-Alamosa route.
The Valley Courier has contacted SkyWest Air and Boutique Air, carriers that previously served the airport, asking if they will seek EAS funding when the bid process begins in March to serve the airport. Nadim Khoury with Boutique Air said, "Yes we are definitely considering Alamosa." SkyWest did not return comment by press time.
In other San Luis Valley Regional Airport news, the $1.29 million civil penalty the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed against the owners of the airport, the City of Alamosa, and the County of Alamosa, will have a resolution soon. In June 2023, the FAA proposed the fine for the airport allegedly failing to ensure aircraft rescue and firefighting personnel were available at the airport during scheduled air flights. Eva Lee Ngai, Public Affairs Specialist with the FAA has told the Valley Courier, "The final agreement for civil penalty should be released early next year."
