February 2022
SUN AIR SERVICE NEWS
SUN WINTER 2021/22 SCHEDULE

While the ongoing pandemic continues to affect air service, including a modest reduction in Delta SLC flights at SUN for February through mid-April, we are fortunate to maintain strong capacity at SUN with nonstop service to six (6) destinations for the winter season.

These are the enhancements to our service this winter:
NEW! United DEN (Denver) flights: more frequency in winter
NEW! United ORD (Chicago) flights; 2x week in Jan/Feb, daily in March
NEW! two additional United LAX flights on March 31 & April 3
SUN SUMMER 2022 SCHEDULE OUT SOON
While most of the SUN flights for spring, summer and fall are already available for booking online, we are continuing to work with our airline partners to finalize the summer/fall schedule and hope to announce the full schedule by mid March.

REMINDER: SUN AIRPORT CLOSED APRIL 18 - MAY 17
SUN FLIGHT STATS
2022 STARTS OUT WITH STRONG JANUARY PASSENGERS

January, typically the slowest month of the winter season for air travel, showed strong passenger numbers, with average load factor of 77%, according to a report from Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN).

Air bookings continue to look solid for February and March, indicating SUN will have a strong overall winter season.
WINTER DIVERSION BUSING: AVAILABLE IF NEEDED
SUN DIVERSION BUSING SERVICE RUNS THRU APRIL 15
While we expect fewer weather-related flight diversions again this winter due to the new landing approach procedure in place at SUN, there will still be times when flights can't land and busing is needed. This diversion busing service, provided by the airlines and airport, will continue to be offered with COVID-19 protocols in effect for passenger health and safety. DETAILS HERE
FSVA BOARD NEWS
THANK YOU TIM SILVA!

Tim Silva recently stepped down from the FSVA board after 11 years as representative of Sun Valley Resort, and serving as FSVA Board Vice President. We thank him immensely for his past decade of inspired leadership and for his commitment of the Sun Valley Resort as a key partner in developing and managing the successful air program at SUN.

Tim’s care and support for the community was always forefront and his experience, wisdom, and thoughtful insights helped us seek out key strategic opportunities and also to navigate through the recent challenges of the pandemic environment. Although Tim has moved into a new strategic role at Sun Valley Company and thus stepped back from his FSVA board role, we know we will be able to count on his input as needed and appreciate his ongoing support!

"The air service program is a key asset of this community, and I am honored to have been part of the dedicated team that helps make this possible."
FSVA BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
MUFFY DAVIS, Blaine County

Blaine County Commissioner Muffy Davis grew up in the Wood River Valley and is excited to be back raising her daughter in our special community. As a past elite athlete and current member of multiple international athletic boards, Muffy travels extensively into and out of SUN and knows firsthand the importance of quality, reliable air service here in the WRV.

"I am excited to share my experience and perspectives as an ex-officio member of the FSVA board to help continue their great work providing exceptional air service to our community and visitors".
PETE SONNTAG, Sun Valley Resort

Pete Sonntag joined Sun Valley Company as Vice President and General Manager in June 2021. Sonntag brings many years of experience and a passion for the mountains to his role. He has overseen multiple ski resorts including Whistler Blackcomb and Heavenly and has also served as Ski School Director at a number of resorts including Vail, Beaver Creek, Keystone and Copper Mountain. He began his career in the mountains as a grounds maintenance worker at the Beaver Creek Golf Course. 

Pete is thrilled to be a part of the Wood River Valley community and is joined by his wife and three children, all of whom share a passion for the outdoors.

“Sun Valley Company continues to stand out as a family-owned, independent resort focused on its loyal guests, employees and the Wood River Valley, and to that end, the importance of air service into our valley cannot be understated. I am eager to serve on the Fly Sun Valley Alliance Board to support the critical work of this organization.”​​
FSVA BOARD ELECTS NEW OFFICERS
Jack Hand elected FSVA Board President

Jack Hand has been elected to serve as FSVA board president, taking the reins from John Curnow who led the organization successfully as board president over the past three years.

Jack, retired CEO of Power Engineers, a global engineering and environmental consulting firm and one the valley's largest businesses, joined the FSVA board in 2019 because of his first hand knowledge of the importance of convenient air service for the community and business and his desire to help maintain and improve air service at SUN.

"It’s been a pleasure to participate on the FSVA Board the last few years, it’s a focused, dedicated and knowledgeable group . I believe the FSVA provides a valued community service and look forward to future challenges and successes." 


2022 FSVA BOARD OFFICERS:
  • President - Jack Hand, retired CEO of Power Engineers
  • Vice-President: Pete Sonntag, GM of Sun Valley Resort
  • Treasurer: Walt Denekas, Sawtooth Forensics
  • Secretary Dave Madaras, COO of FuelerLinx
  • Past President: John Curnow, GM of Limelight Hotel Ketchum

We appreciate all of our dedicated volunteer FSVA board members and thank them for contributing their time and talents to assist us in our mission of retaining and improving air service to SUN. See full board list
IN THE NEWS
(Unofficial Networks, Matt Lorelli)

"I always thought that getting to Sun Valley would be a challenge. I’m not sure why, but I had this preconceived notion that it would be difficult. Boy, was I wrong. It only took two flights for me to reach Sun Valley. One flight from Madison, WI to Denver, and then another from Denver to Sun Valley.
It was so easy that I wish I had one of those old Staples ‘That Was Easy’ buttons to press. Those were so cheesy, but damn were they fun."

(Matt was on a recent media visit hosted by Visit Sun Valley and Sun Valley Resort)

AIRLINE PARTNER NEWS



SUN AIRPORT NEWS
TRAVEL RULES for AIR TRAVELER HEALTH & SAFETY
Personal health safety in this era of COVID-19 is important to both airlines and air travelers.
 
Masks Still Required on Planes, at Airports
Federal law requires passengers to wear a mask when traveling, including travel by commercial air. All SUN airlines, United, Delta and Alaska, require face masks for all passengers, crew and employees. TSA requires all passengers in line for screening wear a mask and masks required for anyone in the SUN passenger terminal area. 
 
COVID-19 Airline Updates:  Alaska     Delta   United    
 

 
FLY SUN VALLEY ALLIANCE 
Non-profit organization with a mission:
Improve Air Service to SUN