Delta Resumes GJT Service to SLC!

Delta Resumes GJT Service to SLC!

The Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is excited for the return of Delta Air Lines flights, operated by SkyWest Airlines, beginning Dec. 3, 2024. These direct flights to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) will restore nonstop connectivity between the two destinations and provide GJT travelers with expanded hub connectivity.

“Restoring connectivity to Delta’s Salt Lake City hub has been the top air service development goal for the Airport since Delta service was suspended in January 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority Board Vice Chairwoman Linde Marshall. “I want to recognize the significant role the Grand Junction Regional Air Service Alliance played in bringing Delta service back – we would not be here without them.”

“The Air Service Alliance was created in 2018 with a voter mandate to grow air service and connectivity at Grand Junction Regional Airport,” said Grand Junction Regional Air Service Alliance Board Chairman Jay Seaton. “Supporting the restoration of service to Salt Lake City is perfectly aligned with our mission, and we’re grateful for the partnership with the Airport and SkyWest to make it happen.”

Delta Air Lines will become the third network carrier to serve GJT and SLC will be the fourth connecting hub with nonstop service from GJT. Delta flights are scheduled to operate twice daily most days throughout the year onboard a 50-seat Bombardier CRJ550 with 10 First Class seats, 20 Delta Comfort + seats, and 20 Main Cabin seats. The first daily flight is scheduled to depart in the early morning, and the second flight will depart mid-day. This will enable travelers to have access to the largest number of connections at Delta’s hub at SLC.

“Grand Junction is a great place to live, and now Coloradans have access to easier travel, and the ability to jet off to a major Delta Air Lines hub and explore more destinations than ever before from the Western Slope. I am thrilled that Coloradans will now have access once again to nonstop flights from Grand Junction to Salt Lake City,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

GJT will be the only West Slope airport with nonstop service to Salt Lake City, and one of only four airports in the state with year-round Delta service. The Salt Lake City hub will provide travelers with one-stop connections to 97 destinations, including prominent international gateways such as Amsterdam, Netherlands; Paris, France; London-Heathrow, United Kingdom; and, beginning next June, Seoul, South Korea.

“Resumption of this essential route between Salt Lake City and Grand Junction has been on the Airport’s radar for some time,” said Bill Wyatt, Executive Director, Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “We recognize the importance this nonstop access provides to regional businesses and appreciate everyone’s work in restoring this critical service.”

Colorado’s elected officials, including Colorado United States Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, actively worked to retain the service during the pandemic, and have supported efforts to support restoration of the service since it was suspended in 2022.

"We made the case directly to Delta that flights to rural airports like this are a lifeline that keep our communities connected. Relieved to see they were listening and resumed service," said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper.

On September 10, 2024 the Grand Junction Regional Airport Authority Board held a Special Meeting where they unanimously supported a request to amend the scope of the 2020 $950,000 U.S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant Agreement to add Salt Lake City to the scope of the grant project and execute the grant amendment. The U.S. Department of Transportation approved the request and the amendment was executed on September 26, 2024.

“I’m grateful to the Grand Junction Airport, Delta Airlines, and the FAA for working together to restore this important route to Salt Lake City,” said U.S. Senator Michael Bennett. “With support from the U.S. Department of Transportation, this route will continue to connect residents, attract visitors, and spur economic growth across the Western Slope.”

The new Delta service is estimated to add an additional $34 million to the nearly $1 billion annual local economic impact of the Grand Junction Regional Airport. The Grand Junction Regional Airport is on pace for its busiest year ever, with 22-consecutive months of year-over year passenger growth. In 2024 the Grand Junction Regional Airport has nonstop service to eight destinations on five airlines:

• Four connecting hubs on network carriers (United to Denver; American to Dallas and Phoenix; and Delta to Salt Lake City)

• Year-round Allegiant service to Las Vegas (Breeze will serve Las Vegas starting January 2025)

• Nearly year-round Breeze service to Orange County

• Two summer-seasonal routes (Allegiant to Los Angeles and Breeze to San Francisco)

Tickets for the new Delta service from Grand Junction Regional Airport can be purchased on www.Delta.com.