Wyoming airports grow, shrink, shut
2 smaller airports saw growth, another loses Delta flight
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — As one Wyoming airport announced this week it is losing a carrier, two others in the Cowboy State post growth during the pandemic-ravaged 2020—the only two in the U.S. to do so.
Airports in Riverton and Sheridan were the only two of any size in the U.S. to show growth during 2020. Both airports benefitted from Wyoming’s new Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) program, which was created to help smaller communities at risk of losing air service.
“All the main line carriers are slashing routes to markets that are similar-sized to our Wyoming markets,” Brian Olsen told the Legislature’s Transportation Committee this week. “So, fortunately, we have the CPA. We’ve been able to secure those resources and keep them providing critical air service to Wyoming.”
The program provides for a cost-sharing formula between state and federal funding, allowing underserved communities to bolster air service and attract major airlines. As a result, enplanements and deplanements at Riverton and Sheridan have been up since 2019, when the program was put in place.
Meanwhile, Yellowstone Regional Airport in Cody announced Delta Airlines was discontinuing its Cody-Salt Lake direct flight due to waning bookings. Airport director Aaron Buck disclosed the news at a board meeting last week. He is hopeful Delta will return in 2023 at least for summer service.
Jackson Hole Airport, which continues to set new records on a monthly basis, will close for runway renovation this spring. The airport will go dark April 11 through June 28, 2022 when Runway 1/19 is rehabbed. Salt Lake City, Idaho Falls, and perhaps smaller communities like Riverton and Cody will likely pick up the slack when flights at Jackson Hole are grounded.
