Well, that day has arrived. On April 11 of this year, American Airlines announced it is coming to Provo, with its first flights departing Oct. 7.

This is a big deal. By some measures, American Airlines is the world’s largest airline, serving 42 more destinations than Delta Airlines, including 228 domestic destinations.

You may have heard me announce about a year and a half ago that Provo Airport is seeking international access. Through American Airlines, we will achieve that. American Airlines flies to 109 countries, ranging from Anguilla to Zimbabwe. As just one example, you can fly American to seven airports in the nation of New Zealand alone.

Get online and play with American’s website — you can book tickets to or from Provo today. Or, use Google Flights. That’s right, for the first time in history, Provo Airport (PVU) is an option on Google Flights, too. And don’t forget, we take arrivals, too. So if you have friends or family coming to town, be sure to tell them to look at flights into Provo.

Don’t get me wrong. We love our two current carriers, Allegiant and Breeze, and hope they will be flying Provo for decades to come. They play an important role, providing value to hundreds of thousands of Utah County flyers each year, and we value their partnership immensely. But a network carrier uniquely opens Provo to the world and the world to Provo.

Why does all this matter to an ordinary resident of this valley? Well, of course, it means added convenience and options (and very often monetary savings), whether it’s through welcoming visitors or flying yourself.

But it’s more than that. Our airport will help anchor this fast-growing valley as it potentially outpaces the population of the Salt Lake Valley. Provo Airport provides our region with a sense of independence and status as we prepare for more growth and to welcome more of the world to this special place, including for the potential 2034 Olympics.

Then there’s the dollars and cents. Increased inbound travel helps fund the services you enjoy from your county and city, even if you live in a city besides Provo. The services you and I enjoy from our local governments — parks, firefighting, water in our homes — obviously require funding, and that funding usually comes out of residents’ pockets through taxes and fees. When visitors come to your town and pay sales and other taxes, however, the result is a boost in local government funding that comes from their pockets, not yours.

That’s one reason why virtually every mayor I know cares about the economic strength of their city and making it attractive to outsiders. Without those components, there can seem to be nowhere to turn for funding besides residential property tax increases, and virtually no mayor or resident likes those!

Let me end with the flying experience in Provo. Compared to flying out of a large airport, Provo is a dream. The terminal is inviting, with its interior brick designed to reflect the warmth and charm of Provo’s historic downtown. Although there are quality food venues and places to purchase necessities, there are no massive corridors, escalators or labyrinths to navigate. Everything you need is within a few hundred feet. Passengers rave about how you can be in your car and on your way home within minutes after landing.

So, for your sake and the sake of all of us in this area, please consider Provo Airport in all your air travel plans — and spread the word to others. If you enjoy elite status with Delta, contact American about matching your status while you give them a try.

Together, we can help improve the quality of life for all in our community by helping the Provo Airport really take off.