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FARMINGTON \u2013 The city of Farmington announced Monday the return of commercial flights to the region has been delayed as a result of coronavirus uncertainties.<\/p>\n
The daily flights from the Four Corners Regional Airport to Denver will be delayed until at least spring 2021, the city announced in a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis unexpected increase in the pandemic has caused a temporary shift in the business climate for many industries,\u201d Mike Lewis, manager of the Four Corners Regional Airport, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Lewis said the city remained eager to bring flights back to the region when the time was right.<\/p>\n
The city said in its news release the delay comes \u201camid a decrease in flights nationwide resulting from travel restrictions in several states, including New Mexico, in addition to travel concerns related to coronavirus.\u201d<\/p>\n
A public health order issued by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham requires anyone traveling to New Mexico from out of state to self-quarantine for the first 14 days of their visit or the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter. Starting July 13, out-of-state visitors were also barred from visiting state parks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe risk of trying to establish and grow air service at Four Corners Regional Airport during this unprecedented, uncertain time would not be in the best interest of our community or our airline partners,\u201d Lewis said in the release.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s announcement comes as air travel has continued to decline with an uptick in virus cases throughout the southern and western United States.<\/p>\n