✈️Grand Junction's airport wins a $950,000 grant to chase nonstop flights to Houston

If you've wished for a nonstop to Houston, this is a step. Grand Junction Regional Airport won a $950,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to create an incentive for an airline to fly to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. WesternSlopeNow reported it was the only Colorado airport picked in this round.

No airline has announced plans for the route. CEO Angela Padalecki said United sent a letter of support, making it a likely contender. The grant backs a “minimum revenue guarantee,” so the airline shares the risk if revenue falls short.

• Last Houston nonstop: April 2016
• Current nonstops: Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas
• Houston: seventh most popular market without a nonstop, per market study

Padalecki said Houston would add connections to Florida, the Caribbean and most of Latin America. Jay Seaton, board chair of the Air Service Alliance, called using local lodging tax dollars for the match “a no-brainer.”