Delta tests new fare structures in Helena, Billings, Bozeman, Butte and Great Falls.

With the dark of winter approaching and Helenans dreaming of warm-weather getaways, Delta Airlines announced a new fare structure for Montana that the company says lowers the prices of most tickets to destinations around the country.

By JOHN HARRINGTON, IR Staff Writer

The new fares are good through February for travel from Helena, Billings, Bozeman, Butte and Great Falls.
"This is the first time I’ve seen Delta do a general, across-the-board cut like that," said Ron Mercer, director of the Helena Regional Airport. "It really is a more competitive stance than Delta has taken in the past. It’s significant that they’re making that kind of adjustment to the fare structure, and it’s nice that the whole state gets it."

In an example of the new structure sent around by Delta, a person traveling from Helena to Phoenix, booking at least 10 days early and staying at least two nights will pay $384, whereas before the same ticket cost as much as $922. Walk-up fares for the same flight are reduced, from $641 each way on a no-advance-purchase fare to $417 each way.

A Delta vice president said the company will monitor the success of the new fare program through the first two months of next year before deciding whether to make the changes permanent.

In other airport news, Mercer said changes will be made to the midday Delta Connection flight. Previously, that flight was on a 737 that went to Great Falls before flying south to Salt Lake City. Mercer said that flight will soon be on a regional jet, but will fly direct from the capital to Salt Lake.

"Although it’s a regional jet, it’s now a direct flight to Salt Lake City, and it’s kind of where we thought we were headed anyway," he said. "This is an improvement to the flight schedule and will accommodate our midday flight loads without any problem."

Delta faces increased competition in Helena as of last month, when Northwest Airlines resumed service from Helena after a 15-year absense.

Reporter John Harrington can be reached at 447-4080, or [email protected].

http://www.helenair.com/helena/7a2.html