Provo airport hopes to land commercial airline

PROVO — City officials are hoping to lure a commercial airline to the under-used Provo Municipal Airport in the next 18 months.

Representatives will promote the two-runway airport near Utah Lake to small commercial carriers at an upcoming conference in San Diego. The Provo City Council has authorized $50,500 for a market assessment and the trip.

The prospect of being able use the airport for commercial flights clearly interested council members.

"This is something that a lot of people have been hoping (to see) for a very, very long time," said Councilwoman Laura Cabanilla.

Airport director Steve Gleason told council members at a recent work session that several carriers have expressed interest in Provo.

"We have an excellent opportunity to show ourselves to airlines," Gleason said, adding that he's optimistic the city could attract at least one commercial carrier and maybe more.

Airport officials already have established a wish list of 10 airlines in anticipation of the conference, he said.

"They were the 10 I thought were most likely to love us," Gleason said. "We have learned that five of those also have us on their wish list."

Interested airlines included Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines.

"Frontier was actually No. 1 on my wish list," Gleason said.

Provo has positioned the airport for commercial service over the past few years. An air traffic control tower was completed in 2005, and the city plans to install a $5 million radar system this year, paid for with federal funds.

Also, airport facilities meet commercial service status. Recently 15 flights were diverted to Provo on a day when weather prevented them from landing in Salt Lake City.

But the airport lacks facilities for handling large numbers of passengers. The Million Air building, which houses a charter air service, could be used for limited airliner traffic but would only be able to handle about two flights a day. More parking also would be needed.