REDDING, Calif. — The city of Redding has gained some more support for a potential direct flight from the Redding Regional Airport to Denver.
At the May 21 Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board voted to contribute $100,000 to the city of Redding, going toward the flight.
County officials told us all five board members voted in favor of the motion.
Redding City Councilmember Michael Dacquisto told us the city of Redding would need to offer a $2 million revenue guarantee to secure the flight with United Airlines.
Dacquisto said he feels the initiative would be a benefit to the area.
“I think it would help,” Dacquisto said of the flight. “That’s one of the other things since I’ve been on council, the number of flights have increased dramatically, the airport’s a lot busier, and I think that’s a good thing for the city.”
Dacquisto said the city currently has around $1 million set aside for the flight.
He told us city officials may next look to get contributions from groups including Bethel Church, the Redding Rancheria, or possibly Mercy Medical Center Redding and the Shasta Regional Medical Center.
The council member said, once the city gathers all the necessary funds, it’ll likely be about a year before the flight comes to Redding.
“For [United Airlines], it’s an economic decision,” Dacquisto said. “You have to convince them that the new route will generate as much or more money than an existing route that they get rid of.”
He added, “But I’m hopeful. They haven’t said no, and they’ve been encouraging.”
