United flights arrive in Mid-Missouri

United Airlines began offering direct flights from Columbia to Denver Aug. 1.
United Airlines began offering direct flights from Columbia to Denver Aug. 1.

The airline's first plane landed locally Tuesday, and today elected leaders will hold a ceremony marking the kickoff of United Airlines service from Columbia Regional Airport.

The Cole County Commission and Jefferson City Council approved agreements to help guarantee United's profit in its first year in Columbia.

If the airline falls short of $600,000 in revenue in its first year of flights from Columbia to Denver International Airport, Columbia and its community partners - including Jefferson City and Cole County - will make up the difference.

Columbia officials said Jefferson City contributed $100,000 and Cole County $50,000.

The governments' most recent airline revenue guarantee was in 2012 with American Airlines. That agreement guaranteed the airline approximately $3 million in profits, but did not cost Jefferson City or Cole County anything out of pocket.

In the previous revenue guarantee, which was substantially larger, Columbia was able to raise almost all of the revenue from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, large businesses in Columbia, the University of Missouri, Boone County, Jefferson City and Cole County.

These organizations contribute because of how beneficial the airport is for them.

Columbia officials said United Airlines asked for a smaller revenue guarantee because the airport has grown in the past few years, noting a few years ago only 4 percent of travelers came from Jefferson City. As of this spring, that figure was up to 20 percent.

United Airlines was interested in Columbia Regional Airport because the city approved a new terminal, Columbia officials said, noting although the airline could leave at the end of the agreement if ticket sales are low. There is growing confidence the new routes to Colorado will be profitable.