Originally Posted by DXjr

There is only one approach into this airport, and it's got very high minimums. That said, since the Q400 is a turboprop, it's able to go (much) slower than the CRJ-700, and thus is able to take advantage of visibility minimums that are 1/2 that required for the the CRJ (1 1/2, and 3 miles, respectively,) which I think is rather unfair given that the difference between the Q400's category and the lowest speed category is only 1/4 mile.



The route of the approach has zero to do with it, as both planes fly the exact same approach, starting from the same entry point.



An ILS is the best choice, but given the terrain, it's not possible without doing something similar to the Checkerboard approach at Kai-Tak. If the feds ever get around to it and approve a RNP approach, then Horizon could take advantage of it, and enjoy lower minimums.

As for an intersecting runway, not likely as the mountains are too close, and there is a ridge that runs right north of the airport property.