Traveling is fun, except for maybe that part where you have to use an airport. But aside from the comically long walk between gates, SLC International is a joyful experience. Let’s explore how the airport makes money, why Delta loves Salt Lake, and how much time we’ll save with the new concourse tunnel.
Funding the Airport
The airport’s budget is bigger than the entire city’s general fund, $520 million and $448 million in 2023, respectively. Contrary to what some might think, none of that money comes from taxpayers. To put it concisely, funding from the airport comes from a combination of user fees, airline rental agreements, and rent from concession vendors.
Airports are paid for by the people who use them.
Bill Wyatt, Executive Director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Airports
Picking Routes
The task of picking flight destinations is mostly up to airlines; the airport has very little to do with that. But SLC International does get involved when it comes to trips abroad. “We particularly focus on international destinations. We'd like to see more,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Airports.
As far as how airlines choose routes, that depends on the financial viability of a particular destination. Wyatt adds that an airline expanding routes to certain destinations forces other airlines to adjust their fares to stay competitive, meaning better prices for travelers.
Coming soon: shiny new concourse connections. (Courtesy of SLC International)
Why Delta Loves SLC
Delta Airlines’ longtime hub is in Atlanta, and they’ve primarily served east coast travelers. Their roots in Salt Lake go back to 1987, when they merged with Western Airlines to expand service to the western United States. “Salt Lake is what makes the west coast work for Delta,” says Bill Wyatt.
B Gate: The Odyssey
Many a joke has been made at the expense of the very long walk between Concourses A and B — so much so that the airport itself decided to get in on the fun and logged the infamous walk in AllTrails, a global hiking app.
We’ll be getting a new tunnel to alleviate the extended hike, but how will it work? Although the fresh tunnel is not yet open to the public, Wyatt said that he walks it regularly and can do it in about seven minutes. It will open in mid-October, so start planning what type of airport shenanigans you want to get into with all that extra time.
Listen to our full interview with Bill Wyatt to learn more about planned improvements at the airport, new direct flights from SLC, and why he makes twice as much money as the mayor.
