United Express to end Yuma-Los Angeles flights Dec 2

United Airlines’ low-cost subsidiary United Express is bracing to give a shock to the travelers flying to/from Yuma. The airline recently announced it will stop offering flights services between Yuma International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport from December 2014.

The airline had been conducting flights between the two destinations for over 20 years now. United Express stated that it will operate its last flight on Yuma-Los Angeles route on December 2.

SkyWest Airlines was operating flights to Los Angeles from Yuma on behalf of United Express. Marissa Snow, Spokeswoman of SkyWest Airlines, said that the commuter service is being scrapped because of poor performance which incurred heavy losses to the airline operator.
 
Marissa said that the passengers who have already booked their flights for travel between Yuma and Los Angeles after December 2 will be re-accommodated on some other flight. She also said that passengers are being contacted regarding the new development.

United Express is currently serving the Los Angeles-Yuma route with two roundtrip flights services per day with the help of a 30-seater regional jet.

With the stopping of the flights between the two destinations, the travelers to/from Yuma International Airport will now be left with only one option. They will now have to take a commuter service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport being currently offered by US Airways Express with onward connecting flights on US Airways.

United Airlines, ever since its merger with Continental Airlines in 2010, has dropped flights in several smaller markets in 2013. The reasons being cited by the airline include new government regulations, growing fuel costs and increasing maintenance. 

Julie Engel, CEO of Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation, said that the loss of air service being offered by United Express is going to deeply impact the economy of the region. She said that extensive efforts will be made to bring a new airline to provide flights services to Yuma International Airport. She concluded that the only positive thing that goes with the Yuma International Airport is that a federal grant is still being provided by the Small Community Air Service Development Program.