Aircraft
Advanced Air To Provide Scheduled Service to Las Cruces
LA-based aircraft operator Advanced Air has received a contract to provide regularly scheduled air service to New Mexico's second largest city.
Advanced Air King Air 350 in flight over the Southwest U.S.
Starting on January 16, Advanced Air will provide regularly-scheduled flights in a King Air 350 to New Mexico's Las Cruces International Airport, giving the community of more than 250,000 people its first consistent air link to a commercial airline hub since 2005. (Photo: Advanced Air)

Though it’s been nearly two decades since Las Cruces—New Mexico’s second-largest city—has had commercial air service, that drought will end on January 16 when aircraft charter/management provider and regional airline Advanced Air begins scheduled service between Las Cruces International Airport (KLRU) and Albuquerque International Sunport (LABQ) using a nine-passenger Beechcraft King Air 350.

Under a two-year contract supported through a New Mexico Rural Air Service Enhancement (RASE) grant, Advanced, which is based out of Los Angeles-area Hawthorne Municipal Airport, will operate seven flights a week linking the two airports. Fixed pricing for the 54-minute flight will start at $85 each way, including complimentary beverages and snacks, with bulk packs of 10 trips available at an overall 20 percent discount. Drive time between the cities is more than three hours.