After several years of major projects, the Vernal Regional Airport is on the verge of what could provide for local economic growth. According to airport manager Doug Brown, the move to Skywest was made not only for their more competitive bid but also in order to secure a return of TSA to the airport. With TSA on board to return and Skywest scheduled to take over service this summer, it is anticipated that economic benefits will follow. “It’s very difficult to have an airport that provides for itself, however, the economic benefit it provides to the local economy is 8 to 10 times the cost to run the airport,” explains Brown, who emphasizes that with Skywest, the goal to increase enplanements to the 10,000 mark is in closer reach. An enplanement is one outbound passenger flying out of Vernal and 10,000 is the magic number to reach that increases federal grant money given annually from $150,000 dollars to $1 million dollars to be used for eligible projects. 2016 hit about 4,000 enplanements but Boutique did not start until spring. 2017 is on track to hit between 6500 and 7000 enplanements and it is believed that if Skywest delivers on the services promised, then reaching the 10,000 enplanements goal is within reach in the near future. Boutique has committed to stay at the airport through June 25th and Skywest is scheduled to start by July 1st.
