OGDEN -- Imagine being able to avoid the long lines, the drive and the overall rush of a busy international airport when you fly out on your next vacation.
Well, the idea may someday become a reality.
Although details are sparse and the process is still in the early stages, Ogden city is trying to bring commercial jet service that would provide regular commercial passenger flights at the Ogden-Hinckley Airport.
"We are definitely pursuing it," said Royal Eccles, airport manager.
Eccles said few people realize that Ogden-Hinckley already has the capability of handling commercial flights.
The airport currently serves general aviation aircraft, consisting of private and business charters, sightseeing, air ambulance and flight training, but it also serves as a weather diversion alternative for Salt Lake City International Airport.
In the event the Salt Lake City airport closes or has to turn away aircraft because of weather, Ogden-Hinckley is capable of accepting the diverted commercial flights.
"We can already handle those kinds of flights, when that scenario (bad weather) occurs," Eccles said.
That scenario occurred in summer 2010. Salt Lake City International was experiencing lightning and heavy crosswinds, so about half a dozen commercial airliners from SkyWest, Southwest and several other airlines diverted to Ogden.
Ogden City Chief Administrative Officer Mark Johnson said plans to bring commercial flights to Ogden date back to the Matthew Godfrey administration.
"We are working on it, and we have been for some time," Johnson said of bringing the flights to Ogden.
"The potential is there for it to happen, but it's tough to land that kind of thing, and we don't want to put the cart before the horse."
Godfrey served 12 years in office and elected not to run for another term. Mike Caldwell was elected and took his place earlier this year.
The airport has had some recent upgrades, and more are coming.
In August 2011, a $4.3 million runway improvement project was completed, and there is a project in Ogden city's 2013-17 Capital Improvement Plan that will put basic infrastructure in place in an area of the airport that could accommodate 50 new hangars.
Source: http://www.standard.net
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