Air Service Enhancement Program (ASEP)

The Wyoming Legislature created the Air Service Enhancement Program (ASEP) in 2004 to combat limited air service with high airfares and to generate economic growth. At the time, Wyoming had the 5th highest airfares in the country, which led many Wyoming residents to drive to airports outside of the state to find reduced fares, better schedules, increased reliability, and greater air service choices. From its inception in 2004, through 2020, the ASEP, administered by the WYDOT Aeronautics Division’s Air Service Development Program, has supported 81 routes at a cost of almost $36 million in state support plus another $24 million from local community support.

These investments are made in the form of revenue guarantees to airlines to support new nonstop routes from Wyoming airports. The revenue guarantee essentially guarantees the airline that an acceptable amount of revenue will be produced by the new route and if not, the State and local community will make up the difference up to an agreed-upon cap in order to support the route. If the route performs better than expected, then less of that guarantee money would be paid out. This program continues to put Wyoming at the national forefront in enhancing air service on a statewide basis and remains one of few programs of its kind in the nation, putting Wyoming at a competitive advantage for retaining and attracting air service.

From its inception in 2004, nine (9) Wyoming airports have participated in the Air Service Enhancement Program. Currently, in 2025, there are five (5) airports participating in the Air Service Enhancement Program with twice daily service on United Airlines operated by SkyWest to Denver International Airport (DEN):  

• Cheyenne (CYS) – Cheyenne Regional Airport  
• Gillette (GCC) – Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport
• Riverton (RIW) – Central Wyoming Regional Airport   
• Rock Springs (RKS) – Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport
• Sheridan (SHR) – Sheridan County Airport