Five passengers flew out and a mere three arrived, but eight is enough to mark a turning point for Cedar City and a returning point for SkyWest.

Amber Hunter, a spokeswoman for St. George-based SkyWest, said the airline is excited to be serving Cedar City again after being awarded the government contract that will pay the carrier $1.2 million this year. "They [Cedar City] were part of our maiden service when we started in back in 1972," Hunter said. "We're proud to be back."

Mesa Airlines had been awarded the contract for Cedar City last year. The Phoenix-based carrier started by offering twice-daily trips to Las Vegas and a single flight to Salt Lake City until July, when the connection to Utah's capital was dropped in favor of one to Phoenix.

The loss of the Salt Lake City link was a blow to Cedar City officials, who already were grumbling about Mesa's service.

"We had issues with Mesa," said Steve Farmer, the airport manger. "So when [Mesa] served notice that they were terminating service to about a dozen cities in the country, including Cedar City, we redid the contract with SkyWest, which got the essential-air-service contract this year."

Farmer said there were "reliability issues" with Mesa. People didn't trust them, so our passenger numbers were way down."

Mesa officials did not return a call seeking comment.

Mesa's passenger numbers - about 6,000 in 2007 - cost Cedar City's airport a $1 million subsidy it gets from the federal government, which requires a minimum of 10,000 passengers a year for the grant. Farmer believes the reliability of Delta-connected SkyWest and scheduled flights to Salt Lake City will mean more passengers.

Mayor Gerald Sherratt said Cedar City's airport set boarding records when SkyWest had the service contract, because most fliers in the area want to go to Salt Lake City. "Mesa was canceling too many flights," Sherratt said. "It was a nightmare."

SkyWest's passenger count Monday didn't set any records. But officials expect those numbers to take off once word spreads that SkyWest is back.

mhavnes@sltrib.com

SkyWest gets contract

* Cedar City to Salt Lake City, departs 7:20 a.m. and 2:55 p.m.

* Salt Lake City to Cedar City, departs 1:30 p.m. and 7:25 p.m., except Saturday when there is only the 1:30 p.m. flight.

* MILES: 221

* AIR TIME: One hour, seven minutes

* PRICE: $85 one way