Watching the Major League All-Star Game on television is so last season. This year, a seat in the stands is just a short flight away thanks to new nonstop jet service between Denver and Twin Falls from United Airlines, operated by SkyWest. Travelers are no longer deterred by multi-connection flights or an 11-hour drive. Instead, opportunities for tourism and business development are expanding.

Short Flight, Unique Sights

As the COVID-19 cloud begins to lift, families and adventurers who have spent months staring at the same four walls are now eager to escape and sniff out new experiences. With compelling attractions including Shoshone Falls, City of Rocks National Reserve, Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, and the thrill-inducing Perrine Bridge, Southern Idaho is an increasingly popular destination.

“The new route not only opens up our region to the East Coast, but Denver itself is one of the top feeder markets generating traffic at visitsouthidaho.com, so we’re anticipating a lot of demand will come from that area,” said Melissa Barry, executive director of Southern Idaho Tourism. “Twin Falls is kind of like a Denver 10-15 years ago: we have great access to outdoor recreation, it’s affordable, and we’re right in the sweet spot with Sun Valley to the north, Yellowstone National Park to the east, and Boise to the west.”

Business Made Easy

Not to be outdone by the impending regional tourism boon, business development in Twin Falls and the Magic Valley is also predicted to greatly benefit from the new direct flights. Growth in agribusiness, manufacturing, and food production and processing throughout the region attracts a variety of companies who supply, store, build and travel to support that growth.

“Increased air service is a textbook economic driver,” said Magic Valley Regional Airport Manager Bill Carberry. “It provides opportunities to enrich peoples’ lives through their business ventures and leisure opportunities in a way that’s promising for the future.”

Bill emphasizes that for travelers who are meeting-bound and short on time, the Magic Valley Regional Airport is a welcomed sight. “There’s a real ease about flying in and out of here,” he said. “It’s less than 10 minutes from downtown, the parking is free and there’s not a big line to get through TSA. We have all the amenities people expect, too, including a restaurant and car rentals.”

World-class adventures and business opportunities in Southern Idaho have become radically easier for the rest of the country and the world to access. United Airlines’ new, nonstop daily air service between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Magic Valley Regional Airport (TWF) in Twin Falls, Idaho, commences May 12. Also known as Joslin Field, the Southern Idaho airport is prepared to safely accommodate air travelers with its recently expanded terminal and ticket counters that provide the space needed to social distance. (Photo courtesy of the City of Twin Falls)

A Major (Airline) Accomplishment

Direct flights to and from Salt Lake City have been available at the Magic Valley Regional Airport since the 1980s. Adding an additional direct flight to and from Denver, a major transportation hub, is an accomplishment brought to life with the help of a $900,000 U.S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Program grant. The grant assists communities with small, non-hub airports to improve their air service by increasing access to national and international air transportation systems.

“We’re looking forward to the start of these new flights and providing travelers with more options and access to get anywhere they want to go,” said Greg Atkin, managing director of market development for SkyWest Airlines.

To learn more about jet service between Denver and Twin Falls, visit www.iflytwinfalls.com.