PASCO, Wash. – The Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco has introduced nonstop flights to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Starting Tuesday, October 1, these daily flights will be operated by Alaska Airlines and provide a new link to the West Coast, marking the first time since 2019 that the airport has offered this route.
According to Buck Taft, the Tri-Cities Airport manager, this new route fills a growing need for the people of Tri-Cities.
“We’re the biggest airport in the world without daily service… so, this is a big flight for us,” said Taft.
In 2023, the Tri-Cities airport saw roughly 873-thousand people travel through it’s gates, making it the busiest year ever recorded for the airport.
The flights will be facilitated by Alaska Airlines’ twin-engine Embraer 175, which can carry up to 76 passengers. The flight is scheduled to leave Pasco at 7:00 a.m. each day, with a journey time of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours.
According to Taft, the first flight to Los Angeles was 2/3 full, which he attributes to the day of the week. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the least busy for the airport.
Although the Tri-Cities airport does not track how many people are on the flights, Taft said he looked ahead at the booking on the new flight and was happy with the results.
“It’s looking really good. It’s looking to be more booked than not,” said Taft.
In addition to this new service, Taft mentioned that the Tri-Cities Airport plans to expand its operations within eight years to handle the increasing number of travelers. However, there are no current plans to add more destinations beyond Los Angeles, as the decision for new routes rests with the airlines.
