Board hears airline safety concerns at Saint George amid confusing PPR notices

Board members described confusion over Saint George's PPR status and said airline concerns about safety at Saint George are a driver of the traffic shift.

A committee member (S5) said Saint George's website showed the PPR had ended on Sept. 13 but that notices later indicated an extension; S5 said pilots and flight schools were uncertain about the true status. Dave (S4) said SkyWest brought data to a runway-safety meeting alleging incursions and near misses and that, as a mitigation, a PPR extension through October and a temporary tower are planned.

Participants discussed how PPR limits routine pattern work, forcing training flights to relocate and increasing operations at reliever fields. The board flagged the need for clearer public communications about PPR timing and for staff to coordinate with Saint George and airlines on mitigation steps.