Improved air service is a win for valley

The Flathead Valley got good news earlier this week when United Airlines announced daily round-trip summer service from San Francisco to Glacier Park International Airport starting July 1.

United has shown considerable interest in expanding markets available to travelers using Glacier Park International. This winter, the airline has been offering weekly weekend service to San Francisco, as well two winter direct flights to Kalispell from Chicago.

The airline definitely likes what it sees. In addition to the new service to San Francisco, United is upgrading the equipment used on Denver and Chicago flights, increasing capacity by between 17 percent and 80 percent.

Glacier Park International Airport Director Rob Ratkowski said that the Flathead’s strong visitor economy has been the driving force behind this expansion, but there is fierce competition among cities for improved airline service, and it is no accident that United chose Kalispell for this upgrade. Ratkowski and others work tirelessly to keep the good news about the Flathead in front of airline decision-makers.

Much of the credit belongs to the Glacier Airline Enhancement and Retention Outreach, or AERO, which works with United and other airlines to develop new routes that will benefit the local economy. AERO, which partners with the airport as well as various tourism-related businesses, provides guarantees to airlines that ensure a certain level of return on investment for the commitment to bring new flights to the region. Once the flights prove themselves, they are continued on a market basis.

As Kalispell Chamber of Commerce President Joe Unterreiner said, “This is great news ... Summer daily service to San Francisco and upgraded equipment to Denver and Chicago on United will be a boost to our visitation and business economy.”