$200,000 grant to help lure L.A. flights

Glacier Park International Airport has received a $200,000 grant from the U.S. Secretary of Transportation toward the creation of nonstop air service to the Los Angeles Basin. 

The money, which comes from the Small Community Air Service Development Program, is meant to offset the cost of ground services, such as ground handling, landing fees or gate space. 

There currently are no direct flights from Glacier Park International to the Los Angeles area. 

“I think any time we can expand our commercial network, it’s great for visitors and people who want to do business coming in and going out of the valley,” said Joe Unterreiner, president of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “This helps us to access markets and improves our economic development picture.”

The airport is looking into providing service to the L.A. Basin area, not necessarily Los Angeles International Airport. 

“This is not a guarantee or a commitment by a carrier, though we do have one identified to work with,” Airport Director Cindi Martin said.  

Typically a new carrier enters the local market in spring, Martin said, but there is no target date for beginning the service.

“Developing air service is a slow process,” she said.

Congress established the Small Community Air Service Development Program to help smaller communities enhance air service and address high airfare issues.