Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Horizon to bring back L.A. flights

Direct flights to Seattle also now on seasonal schedule

---

By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

Horizon Air will once again provide direct flights from Los Angeles to Sun Valley on a seasonal basis.

Direct flights with Seattle will also switch to a seasonal schedule. Horizon Air spokesman Dan Russo wrote in a news release Monday that the airline's year-round service to and from Seattle will end Sept. 7, and be replaced by a winter and summer schedule beginning Dec. 19.

Under the new plan, direct flights from both Seattle and Los Angeles will run from Dec. 19, 2009, through March 21, 2010. Flights will resume for the summer season on May 28 from Seattle and June 26 from Los Angeles, and both will run through Sept. 6.

Flight schedules will be available July 8, when both summer and winter flights go on sale.

"This plan helps ensure direct air service to Sun Valley from two of our most important markets during times of year when demand is highest," Sun Valley resort spokesman Jack Sibbach said.

Horizon Air announced in March that it would suspend its direct service to Los Angeles. The airline stated it did not have enough aircraft to continue the flights during the busy summer travel months.

Russo wrote in the press release that the airline's service to Sun Valley will be backed by a minimum revenue guarantee from the resort that will cover a shortfall if ticket revenue doesn't cover the airline's cost.

Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com