Air service restored

MOSES LAKE — After two years without commercial air service in Grant County, United Airlines and SkyWest will offer daily flights from Moses Lake to Seattle starting in June.

The development comes after the Port of Moses Lake, the Grant County Economic Development Council and the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce met with more than 150 businesses to gain support for an airline travel bank.

Now residents won’t have to drive to Seattle, Spokane or East Wenatchee to catch flights.

“Our hats are off to the local business community,” according to Terry Brewer, the EDC’s executive director. “The airline travel bank they put together played a key role in this effort, and I don’t think we would have air service without the business support.”

The airline travel bank works when customers prepay money for airline tickets and then use a credit-type card to buy tickets.

“We are looking forward to flying locally again,” stated port Manager Craig Baldwin. “We have a large group of committed flyers and believe this air service will be a win-win for everyone.”

In Grant County, $517,500 was pledged by 108 businesses.

The flight schedule is expected to be announced later this week. When the schedule is completed, participants can buy their tickets in advance.

Airline travel bank partners will have their cards 60 days before service starts, said Jon Smith, the EDC’s communications  and marketing director.

Although business support was key, “I don’t think I’ve talked to anyone who doesn’t think it wouldn’t be nice to fly out of here,” Smith added.

The EDC has been working to meet a Friday deadline to collect the pledge money.

A 30-seat EMB 120 Brasilia airplane will be the aircraft used for the local flights.

“SkyWest is pleased to bring regularly scheduled, quality commercial air service to Moses Lake this June,” stated Mike Thompson, SkyWest’s vice president of market development. “We look forward to building a strong and positive partnership with the Moses Lake community.”