Airport celebrates Denver service with barbecue

A taste of Memorial Day in December brought about 40 people to the Havre City-County Airport Tuesday, for free hot dogs, chips and orange drink.

Great Lakes Airlines hosted the "North Pole Barbecue" on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the change in service from flights to Billings to flights to Denver.

The celebration came the week after the first month of new service ended, and so far the numbers seem to justify the response.

In November, 125 passengers flew into Havre and 164 flew out to Denver.

In October, before the change, 60 passengers flew into Havre and 70 people flew out to Billings.

"One month, my goodness, what a change, " Mary Osborne, regional sales manager for Great Lakes Airlines, said. "The numbers have picked up extremely well. I think people like it because it's just one stop to anywhere in the world. "

Jim Lyons, the director of the airport, said that he is encouraged by the doubled numbers, especially considering the timing of the project.

"It's always difficult to start a transportation venture in November, on the Hi-Line, " Lyons said, "but things are going really well. And the attendance out here today is a great demonstration of the support in this area. "

The barbecue brought out more people than the airport's recent attendance record, the hearing on whether to move service to Denver.

Among those enjoying the free food and company were recently elected state Sen. Rowlie Hutton and Rep. Kris Hansen, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon, City Council members Bob Kaul and Robert Kaftan and a representative from Sen. Jon Tester's office.

Santa Claus, as boisterous and jolly as ever, arrived at the barbecue around noon, complaining about air traffic controllers delaying him, and gave candy canes to the kids who made it out.

A taste of Memorial Day in December brought about 40 people to the Havre City-County Airport Tuesday, for free hot dogs, chips and orange drink.

Great Lakes Airlines hosted the "North Pole Barbecue" on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the change in service from flights to Billings to flights to Denver.

The celebration came the week after the first month of new service ended, and so far the numbers seem to justify the response.

In November, 125 passengers flew into Havre and 164 flew out to Denver.

In October, before the change, 60 passengers flew into Havre and 70 people flew out to Billings.

"One month, my goodness, what a change, " Mary Osborne, regional sales manager for Great Lakes Airlines, said. "The numbers have picked up extremely well. I think people like it because it's just one stop to anywhere in the world. "

Jim Lyons, the director of the airport, said that he is encouraged by the doubled numbers, especially considering the timing of the project.

"It's always difficult to start a transportation venture in November, on the Hi-Line, " Lyons said, "but things are going really well. And the attendance out here today is a great demonstration of the support in this area. "

The barbecue brought out more people than the airport's recent attendance record, the hearing on whether to move service to Denver.

Among those enjoying the free food and company were recently elected state Sen. Rowlie Hutton and Rep. Kris Hansen, Havre Mayor Tim Solomon, City Council members Bob Kaul and Robert Kaftan and a representative from Sen. Jon Tester's office.

Santa Claus, as boisterous and jolly as ever, arrived at the barbecue around noon, complaining about air traffic controllers delaying him, and gave candy canes to the kids who made it out.