Salt Lake City Airport attracts both winter skiers and summer tourists

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Salt Lake City Airport attracts both winter skiers and summer tourists

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Airbus A380 | Airbus

By Sky Industry News

Jan 4, 2025

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) plays a significant role as a gateway for both summer and winter leisure travelers. Located approximately four miles from the city center of Utah's capital, it is the largest airport in the state and collaborates with Provo Airport (PVU) and Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD) to serve around three million residents in Utah's urban area.

Delta Air Lines uses SLC as a major hub, operating over 300 daily departures to more than 100 destinations across North America and Europe. The airport ranks as the 23rd busiest in the United States by passenger traffic. Despite Salt Lake City's harsh winter weather, SLC is recognized for its on-time performance and low cancellation rates.

Salt Lake City International has adapted to cater to both summer and winter peak seasons, unlike many airports that primarily serve leisure travelers during one peak season. It serves nine world-class ski resorts within an hour's drive, which Mayor Erin Mendenhall describes as offering "the best snow on Earth." These include Alta Ski Area, Brighton Ski Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain, Snowbird Ski Resort, Solitude Mountain Resort, Woodward Park City, Nordic Valley, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, and Sundance Mountain Resort.

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In addition to winter tourism, SLC is a popular gateway for summer travelers due to its proximity to natural attractions such as Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Zion National Park. Statistics show that over 1.2 million passengers traveled through SLC during June through August 2024.

The consistent year-round demand benefits Delta Air Lines by allowing nonstop services throughout the year. Delta holds a 56.7% market share at SLC and operates all ten of its busiest domestic routes along with its most trafficked international ones.

As travel demand shifts towards leisure after the pandemic, Delta has increased focus on vacationers. Its hub at Salt Lake City remains essential for connecting premium leisure travelers to various destinations across the country and beyond.