Flagstaff Pulliam Airport: A Look Back, A Look Forward

When I look back on the first three quarters of 2021, it is with mixed feelings. If we took out the previous two years and looked at our passenger numbers, it was a very good year. Having said that, there were far too many challenges that dim that optimism.

We, like all businesses in our community, faced staffing shortages. One of our most important business partners, the rental cars, could not get enough staff and faced their car shortage head on. The airlines faced major staff shortages nationally that included a lack of pilots, crews, mechanics and line staff. They also dealt with software glitches, hurricanes and fuel shortages that impacted each carrier. Much of the year, Lyft, Uber, taxicabs and other ground transportation were not available for visitors and residents utilizing the airport.

Even with all that, everyone found a way to make this a productive year in rental car sales, airline passengers and private flyers. We thank the passengers who chose to fly out of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. It is a choice – and often this year, the experience wasn’t as pleasant as we expect from our airport.

One area, which has been difficult for several years, is our parking lot. This year, we finally got the funding, planning and support from local contractors to get the new lot started. With this, we will be taking away one of the favored perks in Flagstaff: free parking. Although we will be charging for parking in the new year, it will remain at a reasonable price. Expect us to be bringing rates to City Council before the end of the year. The new lot is a little further walk than the existing lot. The rate will be a little less for that lot, which will be called the economy lot. Our existing lot, as it is closer, will be called the premium lot. As a thank you to our patrons, we will not be implementing paid parking until after the holidays this season and there will always be free time for those who are dropping off or picking up.

Another change coming to our parking areas will be an electric vehicle charging station. There will be six parking/charging stations, which, for now, will be free. Because the location is outside of the paid parking, we will have to enforce short-term parking to keep them available for all electric vehicle patrons. The proximity to the terminal will be ideal for a patron’s car to be plugged in for the time it takes to either help your friends and loved ones into the terminal or help them out with their bags.

In the next two years, we have other changes that will begin. To help with crowding in specific areas of the terminal, we will implement some needed upgrades for our customers as well as overdue maintenance.

Thanks to all of you who flew out of Flagstaff Pulliam Airport in 2021. I am optimistic that 2022 will be a good year for all Flagstaff businesses, residents, visitors and more. Please remember, in order to get more routes besides Phoenix, Denver and Dallas, we need to continue to raise enplanements and fill seats. If you have questions about service, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at bhelmick@flagstaffaz.gov

FLY FLAGSTAFF FIRST! FBN

By Barney Helmick

Barney Helmick is the airport director for the City of Flagstaff.