New flights from Idaho Falls to Boise underway

IDAHO FALLS — New flights from Idaho Falls to Boise that were delayed a week are now underway, said Craig Davis, director of aviation at the Idaho Falls Regional Airport.

“They were scheduled to start last week on Oct. 1, but due to low ticket sales, it was postponed one week,” he said, adding that the first scheduled flight was on Wednesday.

Gem Air, an air charter company based in Salmon, can operate four scheduled flights a week, Davis said.

"Although early ticket sales are low, we do believe there is a need for this route and are urging the local communities to step up and book tickets,” he said.

Davis said the flights, which cost $149 each way for advanced bookings, are specifically meant to accommodate business travelers, and he hopes those who need to go to Boise within the next 12 months will go ahead and book flights to show their support.

And there are advantages to using the service, he said.

“They will operate out of the local fixed-base operator Aero Mark and not out of the main airport terminal,” he said. “This will allow passengers free parking and (there’s) no TSA screening.”

He encourages people to use the flights so that Gem Air will continue offering the service.

“The Idaho Falls Regional Airport continues efforts to get the word out with an ongoing marketing, advertising and social media campaign in both Idaho Falls and Boise. We have also recently began working with the Boise airport management as well,” he said. “However, as with any airline route, it is only viable as long as the community supports it. It’s truly a ‘use it or lose it’ situation.”

For more information about the flights, visit  Gemairflights.com.

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