A fourth airline is about to land at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport.
Delta Air Lines will begin nonstop service from Santa Rosa to Salt Lake City International Airport on Oct. 6, airport officials and the airline announced Friday morning, May 22.
The Atlanta-based airline will initially offer two daytime round-trip flights every day through its Delta Connection partner, SkyWest Airlines, according to the announcement.
“Delta’s arrival at STS is yet another milestone in the prominence of the airport and reflects the continued demand for commercial air service in Sonoma County,” said Airport Manager Jon Stout. “This new service will provide our community with additional travel options while strengthening connections from Sonoma County.”
Delta has a major hub in Salt Lake City, which provides travelers expanded access to destinations across the country.
Delta will join Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines at the regional airport.
“Delta is committed to connecting customers to top leisure destinations, and Sonoma County is one of California’s most coveted travel experiences,” a Delta spokesperson told the Business Journal on Friday. “We look forward to welcoming customers onboard as we make our debut in Sonoma County this fall with new nonstop service to Salt Lake City.”
Delta’s impending entrance into Sonoma County also opens up more opportunities for tourism.
“The addition of a new legacy carrier at the STS airport is significant. There are a few signs that show a destination is gaining positive momentum — new air carriers and additional flight routes are among them,” said Claudia Vecchio, president and CEO of Sonoma County Tourism. “We look forward to working with Delta to promote this route and its connectivity to the rest of the global Delta network.”
When Delta launches in October, it will become the second carrier at the airport to fly to Salt Lake City.
Alaska Airlines earlier this month announced that, beginning Nov. 1, it will start seasonal service to Salt Lake City, as well as to Phoenix and Boise, bumping up the airline’s service at the regional facility from its existing nine destinations to 12.
Delta will join Southwest Airlines — which began service to STS on April 7 — as the second commercial airline this year to start service in Sonoma County, joining Alaska and American Airlines. Avelo Airlines serviced STS for more than four years before departing last summer.
Salt Lake City flight schedules and ticket availability will be available through Delta Air Lines and travel booking platforms beginning this weekend.
Cheryl Sarfaty covers tourism, hospitality, healthcare, aviation and employment. Reach her at cheryl.sarfaty@busjrnl.com or 707-521-4259.
