Palmdale Airport Begins Vegas Flights

By Wendy Thermos

Dec. 30, 2004 12 AM PT

Times Staff Writer

Leaden skies overhead and floodwaters underfoot didn’t dampen enthusiasm as the long-dormant Palmdale Regional Airport reopened Wednesday with daily air service to the Las Vegas area.

“I’m thrilled,” said Betty Etue, 64, waiting patiently to check in while dozens of customers bought tickets for future flights. “I was one of the very first to call and get my ticket.”

More than 150 civic leaders and Antelope Valley residents crowded into the refurbished terminal -- which had not seen regularly scheduled flights since 1998 -- to watch Scenic Airlines’ 19-seat DeHavilland Twin Otter take flight.

Shortly before the 11:10 a.m. takeoff, workers using heavy equipment had to hastily build berms to divert a foot-high river of muddy storm water that was racing past the doors of the terminal.

Officials said they hope Scenic’s service to North Las Vegas Airport is the first step toward shifting some regional air traffic from Los Angeles International Airport to the facility, which has had a spotty history since opening to commercial air service more than 30 years ago.

“Congestion in the Los Angeles Basin will make people want to come here,” said Palmdale Mayor James Ledford. “It’s inevitable that this will be an airport of choice.”

Many of those standing in line seemed to agree.

“It’s hard to drive to LAX or the Burbank airport,” said Carol Ryan, 60, a retired hospital worker and Palmdale resident. “Here, there’s no traffic, no stress. You just sign in at the counter and fly out.”

Rick Myers, a 36-year-old schoolteacher, had several reasons for preferring to pay the $49 each-way fare over driving to the gambling and entertainment mecca.

“With gas prices and a Chevy Suburban, it’s a $100 round trip,” he said. “And that drive back from Vegas on Sunday night is not very fun.”

The city of Los Angeles owns the Palmdale airport, along with Los Angeles International, Ontario International and Van Nuys Airport.

Since the Palmdale passenger terminal opened in 1971, several airlines have operated there without much success.

Although the facilities, including two 12,000-foot runways, are capable of handling 300,000 passengers yearly, by 1997 the airport averaged only 53 passengers daily. Regular commercial service ceased in early 1998.

Except for occasional charter flights, the airport gates have been padlocked.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich and others say the time is ripe to reopen the airport.

North Los Angeles County is growing, as are nearby Kern and San Bernardino counties, he said. “Millions of people live in this area who would find an operational airport in Palmdale a convenient service.”

Scenic Airlines provides daily service from North Las Vegas to Merced, Calif.; Ely, Nev.; and the Grand Canyon. It also operates tour flights over the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.

“It’s going to take some time to get the word out,” said Scenic President Chad Dixon. “We’ve sold over 400 tickets so far, so I’m really excited.”