Arizona Airport Regains Air Service After 50 Years

The city will see daily flights to Phoenix.

City of Safford leaders celebrate new service (Photo: City of Safford)

[ Airports ]January 10, 2025 10:38 am ET

By Ryan Ewing

One Arizona airport will see scheduled flights again after a half-century hiatus. Safford Regional Airport lost all air service in 1975.

Safford has a population of just over 10,000. Located in eastern Arizona, the city is 165 miles from Phoenix.

Earlier this week, the airport’s newly resumed flights to Phoenix began. Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines operates the service twice per day with Cessna 208 Grand Caravan aircraft.

“It is the result of visionary leadership, [extraordinary] effort and shared commitment to moving Safford forward,” Safford Mayor Richard Ortega said, according to Gila Valley Central.

For Grand Canyon Scenic Airlines, the new route marks the carrier’s re-entry into commuter air service. The airline typically operates tour and sightseeing flights.

Flights from Safford depart from the airport’s terminal. In Phoenix, flights operate from the Jackson Jet Center at Sky Harbor Airport.

Cochise Airlines ended flights from Phoenix and Tucson to Safford in 1975. Frontier also previously served the city.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025 at 9:22 a.m. ET to correct a misspelling.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

Follow Ryan

Author

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.
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