The number of people flying out of Grand Junction's Walker Field soared to an 11 year high in 2004 according to statistics released by airport authorities. Last year nearly 143,000 passengers flew on commercial flights out of the regional airport. About 16,000 more than 2003. Airport spokesperson Charlie Novinskie says increasing competition between air carriers is causing fare wars that make air travel more attractive. Novinskie says the expanded boarding area provides more comfort for passengers of outbound flight destinations. Denver accounted for 52.9 percent of travel with Salt Lake City drawing another one–quarter of departures. Phoenix was the next most popular destination at 21 percent.
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