Horizon Chief Explains Route Cuts

The chief executive officer of Horizon Air, George Bagley, doesn’t want Idaho to think his airline is abandoning the state.

Horizon eliminated three routes in Idaho this year. The Seattle-based airline said it wasn’t making enough money to keep flying between Boise and Sun Valley, Twin Falls and Moscow.

But Bagley said Horizon wants to enhance service to some Idaho cities.

He didn’t make any promises but said there could be a new stop in California for passengers from Boise.

A fourth flight between Lewiston and Boise could be added in December; there could be more nonstop flights from Boise to Pocatello and flights from Boise to Sun Valley would be resumed if enough customers demand it.

Bagley said Horizon’s decision to reduce service in Idaho was caused by the growing competition with Southwest Airlines. Southwest flies to some of the same airports and has lower fares.

The airline will drop its flights from Lewiston to Moscow in two weeks because the route wasn’t profitable, Bagley said. He said an average of five customers fly from Lewiston to Moscow, just 38 miles, too few to justify the cost.

The Sun Valley flight will be discontinued Dec. 17, just as the ski season is in full swing.

Horizon found that 80 percent of people flying into Sun Valley from Boise were originating in Seattle or Portland, making the Boise stop unnecessary. The other 20 percent connected from some other destination.

, DataTimes