Advanced Air prepares transition of flight service from Carlsbad to Albuquerque-Phoenix
On July 27 the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) approved a Carlsbad City Council recommendation to award the city's Essential Air Service (EAS) contract to Advanced Air.
Levi Stockton, president of the Hawthorne, California-based airline, said the company will continue to provide service between Carlsbad and Albuquerque. Flights to Phoenix, Arizona from the Cavern City Air Terminal will also commence Nov. 5.
The previous ESA provider, San Francisco-based Boutique Air, opted out of its contract early. Boutique Air offered flights to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) from Carlsbad.
More: City Council extends air service agreement with Boutique Air
Stockton said DFW was out of Advanced Air’s territory as the company provides airline service to Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico only.
“(Flights to Phoenix) works really well with our current footprint. It puts us in better weather, and I think it adds something new to the community,” he said.
“Phoenix has amazing opportunities to get all over. I understand Dallas is something people like, but there is still an ability to get to Dallas."
Carlsbad travelers can travel to Roswell to catch flights to Texas in lieu of department from Carlsbad, and Stockton said making additions to the destinations from Carlsbad might be a possibility in the future.
“As we get in and get our feet wet and really get to know the community and maybe a few years down the road we can look at this again as an opportunity,” Stockton said.
“I really have a feeling people are going to be excited about the product that we have here,” he added.
More: Flights between Carlsbad and Dallas-Fort Worth end Nov. 4
Who is Advanced Air?
According to a company fact sheet, Advanced Air was founded in 2005 and has more than 130 employees. The company began scheduled air service in 2019.
Advanced Air provides flight service between Silver City, where the Grant County Airport is located, and Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Gallup, according to the airline.
Grant County Airport Manager Rebekah Wenger said flights from the airport in Silver city began Jan. 6, 2019 ― the company's first Essential Air Service contract ―and connect the city to both Albuquerque and Phoenix.
“Advanced has provided exceptional service to our community. They strive to provide scheduling options that allow the community maximum convenience and have an excellent on-time record. With Advanced's service we have seen steady increases in the number of people flying from Grant County. Their service is reliable and their management is very responsive,” Wenger said.
Stockton said Carlsbad met Advanced Air’s requirements as it looked to compete with Boutique for the EAS contract for nearly four years.
“Carlsbad was one of the communities we identified when we first started. Everything takes time. I think this is our third time bidding on Carlsbad. We’re confident we’ll bring in a product that people are really excited about and trust; continue to grow, and earn loyalty in the community,” Stockton said.
Boutique Air provided EAS in Carlsbad since 2015. The company backed out of the previous agreement in February. USDOT required Boutique to continue flights while a new carrier was found. Boutique will cease its service on Nov. 4.
More: No more flights to Dallas/Fort Worth after new airline chosen for Carlsbad Cavern airport
On March 24, USDOT asked for proposals for airlines interested in providing EAS. In May the City Council approved the city's EAS committee’s recommendation of Advanced Air.
Wenger said Carlsbad and Eddy County will be pleased with the selection of Advanced Air as the EAS provider.
“Changing air carriers can be a tough decision for a community, but I am sure Eddy County will find that Advanced Air works hard to over deliver on their service promises,” she said.
More: Carlsbad choses new essential air service provider
Stockton said Advanced Air is participating in a transition phase.
“We’re working with the current staff that is there (Cavern City Air Terminal), to see if there is an opportunity to join the Advanced Air team. Understanding the logistics where our crew is going to sleep, hotels, how we’re going to run people around and where we’re going to buy fuel,” he said.
Seats aboard Advanced Air are on sale and may be purchased at advancedairlines.com.
Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Advanced Air prepares for flights from Carlsbad to Albuquerque-Phoenix
