Advanced Air Selected as New Imperial County Airport Service Provider

-Editorial 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has selected Advanced Air LLC as the next Essential Air Service provider for Imperial County Airport, replacing Southern Airways Express under a four-year agreement beginning Nov. 1.

The agreement will run through Oct. 31, 2030, and provide 24 nonstop round trips each week aboard nine-passenger Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft.

Advanced Air will operate 12 weekly round trips between Imperial County Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and another 12 between Imperial County and Hawthorne Municipal Airport, which serves the Los Angeles area.

The airline has also announced shuttle service between Hawthorne and Los Angeles International Airport and service to McClellan-Palomar Airport in Carlsbad, providing another connection for travelers headed to the San Diego area.

The selection follows a review process in which the Imperial County Board of Supervisors unanimously recommended Advanced Air as the county’s preferred Essential Air Service carrier. County officials said community feedback during the process emphasized maintaining frequent flights and connections to Phoenix and the Los Angeles area.

“Reliable air service is essential to keeping Imperial County connected and supporting our region’s economic growth,” Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Peggy Price said in a statement. “We are pleased to welcome Advanced Air as our new air service provider and look forward to expanding travel opportunities for our residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Advanced Air President and CEO Levi Stockton said the carrier intends to provide reliable service for travelers throughout the Imperial Valley and surrounding region.

“We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Imperial County Board of Supervisors for the opportunity to serve the Imperial Valley and surrounding region,” Stockton said. “Reliable air service keeps communities connected to jobs, medical care, family, and commerce, and that’s what we intend to deliver.”

Advanced Air has an interline agreement with Alaska Airlines, which can allow passengers to book connecting itineraries and transfer checked baggage between participating flights. The company said additional agreements with other carriers are planned.

Tickets for flights beginning Nov. 1 are on sale through Advanced Air and major online travel platforms.

The Transportation Department established a first-year federal subsidy of $5.36 million for the service. The subsidy will be adjusted annually during the four-year agreement and is subject to the availability of federal funding.

Advanced Air will replace Southern Airways Express, whose current Essential Air Service obligation has been extended through Oct. 31. The Transportation Department expects the two airlines to coordinate the transition to avoid an interruption in service.

The Essential Air Service program provides federal subsidies to help maintain scheduled commercial air service in eligible communities that might otherwise lose service.

The Transportation Department formally selected Advanced Air in Order 2026-9-13.