2 Pasco flights suspended over pilot shortage

Horizon Airlines temporarily suspended two Pasco flights while it works through a pilot shortage that forced hundreds of cancellations throughout its system, its parent company confirmed.

Alaska Air Group said the change is expected to last through December.

The newly expanded Tri-Cities Regional Airport is losing one flight serving Portland International Airport and the other Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The airport in Pasco is served by Allegiant, Delta, Alaska/Horizon and United Express. They collectively provide service to Las Vegas, Mesa Ariz., Los Angeles (seasonal), Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Seattle, Portland, Denver and San Francisco.

The Seattle Times reports Alaska/Horizon doesn’t have enough pilots rated to fly the Bombardier Q400 it uses on many regional runs. Horizon canceled hundreds of flights in June as efforts to shore up its schedule failed.

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 5:12 PM with the headline "2 Pasco flights suspended over pilot shortage."