It’s easy to take our airport for granted. That is, until you need to get somewhere, or until you realize how much of our local economy depends on people arriving here from somewhere else.

Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) isn’t just a place to catch a flight. It’s an economic engine that powers everything from tourism to job creation, and it continues to deliver an outsized impact for an airport of its size. The recently released 2025 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study confirms what many of us already knew: EGE is essential to the vitality of Eagle County.

In 2023 alone, EGE generated a staggering $783.4 million in total business revenues. That includes more than $251 million from on-airport activity and $531 million from visitor spending. These dollars translate into 4,404 local jobs and $269 million in payroll. That’s not theoretical—it’s real people, real businesses, and real quality of life.

That’s why the continued expansion of air service at EGE matters. More flights mean more visitors, more spending, and more chances for our community—and its people—to thrive.

This winter, we’re seeing exciting new nonstop routes that will make it even easier for guests—and locals—to access our valley. Delta Air Lines will introduce service from Minneapolis–St. Paul and New York’s JFK. United Airlines is adding a new direct flight from Washington D.C., and American Airlines will launch new service from Charlotte. Alaska Airlines continues its popular flights from San Diego and Seattle, keeping us well connected to the West Coast.

These flights don’t just bring convenience; they bring economic vitality. Visitors who fly into EGE stay longer, spend more, and support the small businesses that make our mountain community unique. From hotel workers to restaurant staff, ski instructors to shuttle drivers, our workforce depends on the steady, reliable flow of destination travelers who arrive by air.

Behind the scenes, these air service expansions don’t happen by accident. They are the result of careful planning, data-driven advocacy, and smart partnerships—especially through EGE Air Alliance, Core Transit, and other community partners. These organizations work with airlines and the county to support new routes through minimum revenue guarantees (MRGs), which serve as a financial backstop during the initial seasons of new service.

Think of MRGs as a performance insurance policy. They help reduce risk for airlines launching new flights into a competitive market, allowing them to test new routes with community support. If the route performs well, the airline absorbs all costs. If it underperforms slightly, the MRG helps close the gap. And when those flights succeed—as many do—the benefits flow throughout our entire economy.

It’s a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to achieve shared goals. Reliable air service helps us attract talent, diversify our economy, support local businesses, and maintain our position as a world-class, year-round destination.

We should be proud of the work done to build and maintain this flight network, but sustaining that success requires ongoing commitment and support. The competition among regional airports is fierce, and airline capacity is limited. Every new route must be earned, supported, and promoted. That means investing in infrastructure, delivering a great guest experience, and telling our story in a way that resonates with airlines and travelers alike. And the fact is that the Eagle County Regional Airport works not only to drive our economy, but to support our locals. New low cost carriers and increased competition makes the airport work as a viable alternative to Denver International Airport.

The next time you see a flight land at EGE, don’t just think of it as a plane. Think of it as a pipeline bringing opportunity, prosperity, and energy into our community. Let’s keep investing in that pipeline. Because when Eagle County stays connected, Eagle County thrives.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, a 3-time national chamber of the year. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com