WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Yvette Herrell (R-NM) requested in February that the United States Department of Transportation approve a grant application for the Lea County Regional Airport (HOB) in Hobbs, New Mexico. The Small Community Air Service Development Program has now granted Lea County $800,000 to support air service to Denver, which was suspended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

"Covid slowdowns and shutdowns hit local industry and airlines alike, and I am proud to help secure this much-needed booster shot for New Mexico's businesses and travelers," said Rep. Herrell. "HOB airport is an essential hub for our economy, and I will continue to fight for infrastructure in Lea County and every part of our great state." 

The HOB air service is a vital and active part of the Southeastern New Mexico economy. It has proven to be a viable, regional transportation gateway serving all of the Permian Basin for both business and leisure travel. In February 2020, the Houston-Hobbs route operated at its highest February load factor ever of 77 percent.

In the third quarter of 2019, this route was the third most profitable spoke out of 105 destinations served from UA’s Houston hub as measured by stage-length adjusted total revenue per available seat mile. The Denver service started in October of 2019 and was off to a strong start. In 2019 alone, over 54,000 passengers utilized the service. The economic impact to the region is estimated at over $25 million per year.