The Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) of the US Department of Transportation recently approved an $800,000 grant to the Lea County Regional Airport (HOB). The grant is to “support air service to Denver, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” according to an article in the Grant County Beat.
A maximum of 40 grants are awarded by the SCASDP each year the program is funded, and an individual state cannot receive more than four grants. HOB is fortunate to have been one of the chosen few to receive such a grant.
The work of New Mexico Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (R) played a commanding role in making the grant a reality for HOB. In February the congresswoman “expressed her support” for the approval of the grant and her efforts proved successful.
In a July 27 press release Rep. Herrell stated, “Covid slowdowns and shutdowns hit local industry and airlines alike, and I am proud to help secure this much-needed booster shot for New Mexico’s businesses and travelers.” The Congresswoman went on to comment, “The HOB air service is a vital and active part of the Southeastern New Mexico economy. It has proven to be a viable, regional transportation gateway serving all of the Permian Basin for both business and leisure travel.”
Even though demand for air travel decreased significantly in 2020 as a result of COVID-19, Lea County, the City of Hobbs, the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County and United Airlines worked in tandem relentlessly to ensure air service for essential business travel during the pandemic. Such air service was especially crucial to the Permian Basin. According to Rep. Herrell, during this time period the Hobbs-Houston route “operated at its highest February load factor ever of 77 percent.”
United Airlines has announced that its direct flight service to Denver will resume on October 27. The service will be operated by United Express six days a week. Hobbs Mayor Sam Cobb expressed his support of the resumed service saying, “the new direct flights show confidence in the robust and growing economy of the Permian Basin.”
The Lea County Regional Airport is located four miles west of Hobbs. With three runways it covers 898 acres. It is the largest of three airports operated by the Lea County Government. The other two are the Lea County-Zip Franklin Memorial Airport in Lovington and the Lea County/Jal Airport-E26 in Jal. All three are “public use” facilities.
Congresswoman Herrell represents New Mexico’s District 2 which includes Hobbs and all of Lea County. She is the only Republican representing New Mexico in Congress and is the Vice Ranking Member of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. She also serves on the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee, as well as the Environment Subcommittee. All three of these committees are of particular importance to Lea County.
Earlier this year Rep. Herrell vocally opposed the energy policies enacted by President Joe Biden’s administration, arguing that these policies could prove very negative to the economy of Lea County, as well as to the US energy industry as a whole.
Although Congresswoman Herrell noted that COVID-19 had slowed and even shut down businesses in her letter of support for the Lea County Regional Airport grant, she recently cosponsored legislation filed by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) that would withhold funding from schools that mandate vaccines. Many counties in her district, including Lea County, have been labeled areas of “high transmission” and have low numbers of vaccinated residents. The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is actively encouraging New Mexicans to be vaccinated and is offering a $100 incentive to all New Mexicans for “getting a dose of COVID-19”.
The question remains as to how COVID-19 will affect the resumed Lea County Regional Airport/Denver nonstop air service as the increased infection rate and new variants could slow travel or bring about federal and state travel restrictions. United Airlines as part of its CleanPlus program requires all passengers two-years-old and older to wear masks. The CleanPlus program puts “safety and cleanliness” first when it comes to travel. Further and in support of this cleanliness and safety policy, United will require all of its US employees to be vaccinated to maintain their jobs by late October.
So, when the nonstop air service resumes to and from Denver, travelers will be required to wear masks. The decision as to whether or not to be vaccinated most likely will remain one of personal choice.
