From Deseret News archives:
Capital feeling bullish
Economic good news is latest in a monthlong series
The biggest kitty came Wednesday as Delta Air Lines released details of its restructuring plan to avoid bankruptcy a plan that includes expanding service in its Salt Lake City hub by 58 flights daily. Still, the good Delta news was somewhat tempered by ongoing concerns about the airline's financial status and whether the restructuring plan will save the company.
But those worries didn't stop Salt Lake City leaders from being generally giddy Wednesday as they considered their recent slate of good economic news.
First, leaders of the semiannual Outdoor Retailer convention, which pumps $32 million into the local economy, announced last month they were staying in Salt Lake City for five more years after threatening to leave for Las Vegas.
Of course, Wednesday brought the kicker as Delta announced it would not be abandoning its Salt Lake City hub as some industry analysts had suggested it should.
"It's feeling like things are turning a bit, and there's a lot of optimism," City Council chairwoman Jill Remington Love said.
Delta's decision means its roughly 4,000 jobs will stay in Utah, and the 58 new flights likely mean more jobs will be coming to the Salt Lake City International Airport.
"This is Delta saying, 'Yes we are going to go with you,' " said Meg Holbrook, chairwoman of the Utah Air Travel Commission. "And, along with Nordstrom staying, this is very good economic news for the state of Utah."
Delta's commitment to Salt Lake City is a good recruitment tool for downtown interests, Downtown Alliance executive director Bob Farrington said.
"Everybody is a beneficiary of their presence," he said. "For downtown being so close to a major hub within 10 minutes is kind of unheard of, so that convenience is a big selling point."
Still, Delta's recommitment to Salt Lake City will only add to the airline's dominance at the city's airport. Already, the airline or its connections account for over 75 percent of all commercial flights out of the airport. The addition of 58 new flights means Delta will control well over 80 percent of all the airport's flights.
Comments
- Rock on 7:56 p.m.
- Williams happy to be back with Jazz 7:51 p.m.
- Lack of experience no RSL concern 7:40 p.m.
- Wall leads No. 4 Kentucky to win 7:32 p.m.
- MLS working toward new CBA 7:30 p.m.
- Duke routs Coastal Carolina 7:10 p.m.
- No. 5 Villanova routs Penn 7:09 p.m.
- Locally grown food sources touted 7:05 p.m.
- U.S. Magistrate denies Barron 6:55 p.m.
- Highland station fires up neighbor 6:38 p.m.
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- Wounded Utes limp home
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- Big games keep UHSAA coffers full
- Barzee to plead guilty
- Sloan misses practice
- RSL surprised by Chicago's Fire
- Vitamin D deficiency puts U.S. at risk
- Jazz notes: Young bigs ride bench
- TCU creams U.
233 - BYU happy to escape with victory
232 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
224 - Will state consider gay rights law?
162 - RSL heads to MLS title game
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
132 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
115 - MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
113 - 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
107
The Gateway, 400 W. 200 South, will kick off the holiday shopping season...
I was a bit under the weather last week, which gave me some time to...
Hire him back!
Move all the games to Saturday!
Come on Tim, if your so worried about the environment, take a plea instead of...
You are missing the pertinent part of your rights being your rights only as...
There's a store across the street from my house and the lights in the parking...
Jazz management let Fish out of his contract. They didn't have to but they...
RE:Your In-sight please "What exactly were the Founding Fathers tying to...
We can thank the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and former Salt Lake Mayor Ted...
The UNLV position is a classic stepping stone. You just have to realize...


You can be the first to comment on this story.