Friday pledge deadline looms for airline bank

MOSES LAKE — Friday is the last day to pledge money for future airline tickets in order to possibly restart commercial air service from Moses Lake to Seattle.

As of Friday, 61 companies pledged $353,000 toward the goal of $500,000, said Jon Smith communications and research manager for the Grant County Economic Development Council.

The EDC, Port of Moses Lake and Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce are working to get area businesses to take part in the airline travel bank for prepaid tickets.

The minimum pledge is $2,500 per business and participants would receive a credit card to buy their tickets.

Last year, the community presented figures to SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, about providing commercial service in Grant County, Smith explained.

“We’re hopeful it will happen, but it’s dependent on community support,” Smith said.

Smith termed talks with the airline as tentative and added no formal commitment has been made on the airline’s part.

A proposed start date of June 1 was discussed, he said.

On Friday, the EDC stressed the airline travel bank isn’t a donation or a gift, rather a prepayment for airline tickets or cargo shipments on SkyWest/United Express, United Airlines and flights linked to United international partners.

“Meeting that target of $500,000 is critical,” stated Terry Brewer, the Grant County EDC’s executive director. “Having a travel bank that is not completely funded sends a message to the airline that maybe our community can’t support air service,”

“This may be our only shot at getting an air carrier to fly out of Moses Lake,” stated David Plate, Port of Moses Lake commissioner. “We are almost where we need to be to really show SkyWest Airlines that yes, our community is capable of supporting air service. We need everyone’s help to make this happen.”

For more information, people can visit the EDC’s Website at www.grantedc.com or call the EDC at 509-764-6579 or the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce at 509-765-7888.