Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeIf Mid-Columbia residents don't take advantage of the new twice-daily direct flights from Pasco to San Francisco, the service will go away.
It's not shilling for the airline to point out that the law of supply and demand is in effect at the Pasco airport.
Even if you're not interested in going to the Bay Area, service to an additional major hub opens up a whole new world of flight connections for passengers continuing on United airlines.
That's not just good news for Mid-Columbia residents looking for new travel options, but it's also great news for economic development efforts.
Additional flying options are an important business amenity -- especially flights to California, where high-tech industries might take advantage of expansion opportunities at our fledgling science and technology park in north Richland.
The local flight is operated by SkyWest Airlines. The service helps travelers avoid the delay-plagued airport in Denver and prevents backtracking from Seattle to destinations south and east. It also provides a more direct connection to flights headed across the Pacific Ocean.
The Tri-Cities has long struggled with flight service. Airlines and flights come and go. This new service operates under the same constraints. If it is not used by enough folks, the service will go away.
Right now, Port of Pasco officials say the morning flight is averaging about 50 percent full and the afternoon flight is almost at capacity on a daily basis.
Air fares range from around $260 to $330, depending on when you're traveling.
Many Tri-City businesses and Hanford contractors are dependent on flight service, and some formerly local firms have even cited the lack of flights as a reason for leaving. With the addition of the SkyWest flights, the Tri-Cities now has connections to five major hubs.
Local tourism officials also are hoping Bay Area residents will want to fly to the Tri-Cities to sample what we have to offer, namely sunshine, golf and wine.
That may help the bottom line, but Tri-City residents will have to prove this is a service they want.
Editorials are the consensus of the Tri-City Herald editorial board.
Editorial board members are Rufus Friday, publisher; Chris Sivula, editorial page editor; Ken Robertson, executive editor; Matt Taylor, contributing editor; Lori Lancaster, editorial writer; Shelly Norman, editorial writer and Jack Briggs, retired publisher
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