HAILEY, ID — The Friedman Memorial Airport in Sun Valley has seen tremendous growth this decade and they will offer more non-stop flights from six different cities this winter.
People looking to make a journey to Sun Valley have options as they can catch a commercial flight direct from Chicago, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
"It is very unique for a community of our size," said Friedman Memorial Airport manage Chris Pomeroy. "It is thanks to the community that supported a local option tax that supports air service here in the state.”
The growth at the airport has been significant this decade from 2013-2018 more than 76,000 first time visitors flew to Sun Valley and the number of people catching a flight grew by 80%.
According to a preliminary report by the Idaho Transportation Department the airport generates an economic impact of $305 million per year, it's the second highest in the state behind Boise.
The airport has been a big asset by bring passengers to the community helping local businesses and the Sun Valley Resort.
"Having those non-stop flights makes a huge difference, it really gets people from all over the country into Sun Valley," said Kelli Lusk the public relations manager at Sun Valley Resort. "They are coming from all directions to Sun Valley this year."
Pomeroy also told us the airport receives a steady stream of private planes and corporate jets, he said the numbers are similar to other resort towns like Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Aspen, Colorado.
