Although Delta Airlines will be limiting its direct to-and-from Salt Lake City service to the summer months as of the end of August, local supporters remain hopeful that won't be forever.

The strong passenger showing during the year's service -- just two percentage points below the target -- may have prevented the airline from pulling out of Humboldt County altogether. Under the agreement, the target was an average of 70 percent for the first year.

The final tally for June 5, 2008, to June 5, 2009, was 68 percent, according to Dawn Elsbree, Headwaters Fund coordinator.

Part of the initial package that prompted Delta Airlines to offer direct flights east from Arcata was a $500,000 Headwaters Fund revenue guarantee if local ridership didn't reach that 70 percent "load factor" average in the first year.

"It was really close," Elsbree said.

The bottom line is those promised funds will be going to Delta. The other part of the package included $500,000 in pre-paid travel on Delta, organized by the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission.

Humboldt County Airport Manager Jacquelyn Hulsey said those who are holding tickets for Delta travel after the stop date of Aug. 31 are advised to wait a week before contacting the airline. She said she has been reassured that Delta will rebook those passengers on other carriers to make their connections east.