American Eagle says it's here for the long haul. Encouraged by packed flights since nonstop jet service between Santa Fe and Dallas began June 11, the American Airlines regional carrier says it's committed to continuing beyond the initial 60-day trial period.

"The least number of people I personally saw get on a plane was 35," said Santa Fe Municipal Airport Manager Jim Montman this week of the 44-passenger Embraer jets. "They're flying close to full most of the time. And on about four or five occasions, they have brought in 50-passenger aircraft to accommodate" additional travelers.

"The planes are very full," American Eagle spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said.

The airline had indicated the service could be terminated if it didn't get enough passengers using the round-trip connection to Santa Fe instead of using nearby Albuquerque's airport. However, Huguely said Wednesday, "The flight is here to stay, and we are very pleased with how the flight is doing."

As for what happens when Santa Fe's peak tourism season ends and the slower winter months arrive, Huguely said, "We're very confident there will be plenty of folks flying that one flight. Santa Fe is the seat of your government, and there's a lot of business conducted in Santa Fe because of that."

Now that service to American's Dallas hub has been secured, many are looking forward to the scheduled Nov. 19 start of a daily flight between Santa Fe and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Montman said.

In a role reversal for Santa Fe and Albuquerque, the new connection with LAX may also attract travelers from Albuquerque, he said, since neither American Airlines nor American Eagle flies directly to Los Angeles from Albuquerque.

American Airlines passengers between LAX and Albuquerque currently travel through Dallas-Fort Worth, Huguely said.

Montman noted that several celebrities started coming to Santa Fe on American Eagle flights instead of private aircraft. He declined to discuss identities.

"We're also seeing a lot of Buffalo Thunder customers," he said, referring to the new Hilton resort at Pojoaque Pueblo. "A Buffalo Thunder bus sits out there at the Santa Fe airport and then delivers them back to the airport."

"We send a bus out there when the flights come in," confirmed Allen Mosley, CEO at Pojoaque Pueblo. "A lot of times we get quite a few pickups."

Mosley estimated the bus from the hotel/resort north of Santa Fe has picked up 100 people so far.

"So far, we're the only (hotel) that's doing it," said David Oakley, marketing manager for Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino.

Rental car agencies at the airport also have benefited.

"I don't have much detail, but we've seen a strong, double-digit growth in our business," said Paula Rivera, manager of public affairs for the Hertz Corp., which has a rental booth at Santa Fe Municipal Airport. "We started seeing that improvement in June, and it's even stronger in July so far. We have increased our fleet to meet the demand. We have brought in about 100 cars."

While noise from the passenger jets flying into and out of Santa Fe had been a source of concern for some, Montman said he hasn't received any noise complaints from residents near the airport or elsewhere in Santa Fe.

"The aircraft flies in quickly, and its thrust reversers are quiet most of the time," he said. "That keeps the noise down when the aircraft is on the ground. Then when they leave, they climb away rapidly."

Prior to the American Eagle flights, Santa Fe had been without scheduled commercial air service since Great Lakes Airlines ceased United Express flights to and from Denver on Jan. 7, 2008.

Contact Bob Quick at 986-3011 or bobquick@sfnewmexican.com.

AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHTS

• Santa Fe to Dallas-Fort Worth: The daily flight leaves at 12:10 p.m. and arrives at 2:50 p.m. (There is a one-hour time difference between Santa Fe and Dallas.)

• Dallas-Fort Worth to Santa Fe: The daily flight leaves at 10:55 a.m. and arrives at 11:45 a.m. local time.

• Planned Los Angeles flights: Beginning Nov. 19, a Los Angeles flight is scheduled to leave Santa Fe for Los Angeles International Airport at 12:15 p.m. and arrive at 1:30 p.m. local time. The flight from LAX is scheduled to depart at 10:15 a.m. and arrive in Santa Fe at 1:15 p.m. local time.



SAMPLE ROUND-TRIP FARES

• Santa Fe/Dallas-Fort Worth: Leave Aug. 21 and return Aug. 23; Fare: $382.70 (Economy super saver)

• Santa Fe/Dallas-Fort Worth; Leave Sept. 15 and return Sept. 17; Fare: $334.70 (Economy super saver)

• Albuquerque/Dallas-Fort Worth; Leave Sept. 15 and return Sept. 17; Fare: $229.70 (Economy super saver)