Alaska Air adds third route to Idaho's Sun Valley

Alaska Airlines will add nonstop service from its hub in Portland, Ore., to the Idaho resort of Sun Valley.

The seasonal service launches Dec. 17, when Alaska Air regional affiliate Horizon Air will begin one round-trip flight each Wednesday and Saturday through April 1. The route -- specifically to the Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, Idaho -- will return for the peak summer season, resuming June 14 and continuing through Sept. 16.

The flights to the will be operated with 76-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft.

Alaska Air's West Coast growth continues with new California city

Alaska Airlines also flies to Sun Valley from its main hub in Seattle as well as from its focus city in Los Angeles.

As for Portland, the airport is Alaska Air’s No. 2 hub. Alaska Air is already the busiest carrier at the airport, offering an average of 122 daily departures to 48 nonstop destinations.

The Sun Valley airport also is served by the regional affiliates of Delta and United.

The Idaho Mountain Express reports the Sun Valley airport was able to secure the flight with a revenue guarantee. If tapped, the money for the guarantee would come from a $500,000 federal grant awarded to help the airport boost its air service.

TWITTER: You can follow me at twitter.com/TodayInTheSky

PHOTOS: Alaska Airlines’ iconic Eskimo gets a makeover