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Farmington ratifies SkyWest United Express service to Denver
Summary
The Farmington City Council unanimously ratified a two-year, risk-sharing transportation agreement with SkyWest Airlines to begin United Express service to Denver starting May 2025. The contract caps the city's maximum liability at $6,997,585 over two years and relies on a mix of federal and state grants; councilors approved the ratification 4-0.
The Farmington City Council voted unanimously to ratify a two-year transportation services agreement with SkyWest Airlines that would bring United Express flights from 4 Corners Regional Airport to Denver, officials said.
The agreement, presented to the council by Airport Manager Mike Lewis and City Manager Mace, would run from May 8, 2025, through April 30, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. SkyWest proposes to operate a Bombardier CRJ regional jet with one daily round-trip between Farmington and Denver; the aircraft would remain overnight in Farmington to enable same-day travel and connections in Denver, Lewis said.
The city is entering a risk-sharing contract rather than a direct subsidy. “This is a 2 year risk sharing agreement,” Lewis said. He told council the carrier will calculate block-hour based costs quarterly and seek reimbursements from the city only for shortfalls; the carrier will provide monthly summaries of costs and revenues. Lewis said SkyWest has proposed to start service in May 2025 and that the airline’s schedule would be loaded for sale on Jan. 23.
Why it matters: restoring scheduled jet service is intended to expand travel options for residents, support local business connections and make same-day trips to Denver possible. Councilors and the mayor framed the deal as the culmination of a multi-year effort to return reliable jet service to the airport after regional carriers left in prior years.
Funding and liabilities: Lewis told the council the city’s maximum liability under the contract is $6,997,585 over two years. The city already has a federal grant of $850,000 and intends to apply for a state air service enhancement grant of $2,750,000 per year (totaling $5,500,000 over two years). In a worst-case scenario using all available grants, Lewis said the city’s unfunded remainder would be roughly $647,585. The city’s first potential reimbursement to the carrier would not be due until August 2025, after the first quarter of operations.
Operational details and local context: SkyWest plans an initial schedule of one early-morning departure and one late-evening return to allow same-day business travel and connections through United. Mayor Deckard and councilors described a multi-year runway upgrade paid with federal money—estimated at $25 million—that made jet service possible after the departure of earlier regional operators.
Council action: Councilor Rogers moved to ratify the agreement. Councilor Giacchino seconded the motion. The council voted 4-0 to approve the ratification. The mayor and staff thanked Airport Manager Mike Lewis and City Manager Mace for their work in securing the service.
What councilors said: Airport Manager Mike Lewis provided the technical and financial overview. Councilor Giacchino called the moment “momentous” for the community, and Mayor Deckard said he looked forward to using the new service. Lewis said the city and SkyWest “are both in the same mindset” about minimizing reimbursements and monitoring performance closely.
Next steps and timeline: The airline’s schedule is to be loaded on Jan. 23 for booking through United’s system; service is proposed to start in May 2025. Staff said they will monitor monthly revenue/cost reports and reconcile shortfalls quarterly under the agreement.
Votes at a glance: Ratification of transportation services agreement with SkyWest Airlines — motion to ratify as presented; mover: Councilor Rogers; second: Councilor Giacchino; vote: 4-0 in favor. Outcome: approved.
