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Council approves $2.884 million amendment to expand winter/fall air routes; Las Vegas route phased out for fall
Summary
The Town of Taos approved Amendment No. 1 to a contract with JSX to add new fall and winter routes (including Austin, Burbank and Carlsbad) in a $2,884,000 amendment funded largely by a state grant; councilors discussed low load factors on Las Vegas service and marketing plans for Denver.
The Town of Taos Council voted Sept. 24 to approve Amendment No. 1 to contract TT 02/2001 with JSX (Jet Suite X Inc.), expanding fall and winter routes and adjusting seasonal service schedules under a revised funding plan.
The approved amendment adds service to Austin, Burbank (Los Angeles Burbank) and Carlsbad/San Diego and adjusts fall scheduling to replace underperforming Las Vegas flights with Dallas beginning in November, the administration said. The amendment is for $2,884,000 inclusive of New Mexico gross receipts tax (NMGRT); the town said the funding is primarily supported by an $8.2 million state grant (Race 2) with a required 10% match from partners.
Why it matters: The amendment alters seasonal air service that connects Taos to key regional markets and carries grant conditions and subsidy calculations. Several council members emphasized the service's importance for residents who travel for medical and family needs while others pressed staff on load factors and marketing.
Performance, subsidy and schedule notes: Town staff and the airport team told the council that the Las Vegas route had a roughly 7% load factor and was using more subsidy than anticipated; Dallas historically performs much better (around 78–80% load factor), which reduces required subsidy. Because the fall schedule was close to launch, Las Vegas service will operate through October and Dallas will begin in November under the adjusted plan.
Staffing, grants and monitoring: The administration said the Race 2 grant provides 90% of funding and partners are being sought to meet the 10% match; the town expects to provide the 10% match for the Denver (year‑round) route. Staff said they will monitor monthly load‑factor reports from JSX and evaluate routes for future spring and summer planning.
Council response: Council members asked for documentation on ticket sale opening dates and urged staff to sustain marketing for Denver; staff said marketing efforts are underway and that route performance will be monitored monthly. Several councilors said they want more time for newly marketed routes to ramp up before concluding a route's viability.
Ending: The amendment passed on a council vote; staff will continue to monitor monthly performance data, adjust schedules as permitted by grant rules, and return to council with updates.
