More than 10 years ago, Alpha Air used to run regular air flights between Los Angeles and Mammoth Lakes. When that service ended, so did air travel here. Some smaller attempts were made, but nothing stuck. As of Thursday, the tide will turn.horizon_airplane.jpg

Horizon Air, in conjunction with Mammoth Mountain Ski Area and the Town of Mammoth, will officially bring in the first flight Thursday at 3:20 pm. Celebratory festivities start at 3pm.

Reporters from KTLA, Good Morning America, the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News and many others will take the flight from LA to Mammoth.
For the inaugural flight, A Panorama Gondola car, Woolly Mammoth and others will greet passengers. Raffle prizes from Mammoth businesses will also go to winners.

Meanwhile, at Mammoth-Yosemite Airport, Thursday will see Horizon Air executives, MMSA CEO Rusty Gregory and Town Manager Rob Clark make brief comments with a champagne toast – all of this in the new terminal at the airport.

Flight will continue daily up until April. As numbers of passengers grow, so might the length of service each year. Town Manager Clark had told the Eastern Sierra Council of Governments that 50% of the flights are already booked for December. Planes hold 75 passengers. Clark said once the service has reached 10,000 passengers, the FAA will provide more money.

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