Cody-Denver Flights Cleared for Takeoff

Cody, WY – When the Wyoming Business Council decided not to spend any of a $3 Million air service enhancement fund it looked like a deal to start summer service between Cody and Denver was in trouble. But it appears those flights will happen, thanks in part to a bill passed this legislative session. House Bill 60 gives the State Aeronautics Commission some authority over the fund, and makes communities match the state's share. The Cody Yellowstone Air Service Organization will make an application under the new set-up. That group's chairman is State Senator Hank Coe, who expects to have a matching grant secured by the time the Denver flights start in June. The deal reached with United Airlines calls for two round-trip flights a day to Denver, one of which would be on a 50-seat jet. Meanwhile, Coe says negotiations with United for year-round service are still in the early stages. Coe also says he thinks Casper and Jackson are considering applications. Continental service from Houston to Jackson and Northwest flights from Minneapolis to Casper were two of the original proposals made for the air service enhancement money.