UPDATE: iFly to reopen in El Paso under corporate control in early 2025
FRIDAY UPDATE: iFly in El Paso will be reopening in the first quarter of 2025 after a refurbishment of the facility.
According to a release sent Friday by a corporate spokesperson for iFly Indoor Skydiving, the company has formally acquired the El Paso, Texas vertical wind tunnel. The location had opened in 2019 on the Westside near Top Golf in the Montecillo area, and was previously a franchise location.
"We're excited to re-launch the El Paso facility and build upon its strong foundation in the local community," said Matthew Ryan, CEO of iFly Indoor Skydiving in the statement. "This acquisition aligns with our mission to deliver world-class indoor skydiving experiences to people worldwide. We look forward to continuing to serve both first-time flyers and experienced skilled flyers in the El Paso region."
UPDATE: ABC-7 has learned that the iFly Indoor Skydiving location in El Paso is planned to re-open under corporate ownership. In an email, a corporate spokesperson said that the West El Paso facility was a franchise location and did close several months ago. Negotiations have been ongoing between iFly corporate, franchise owners and the landlord for months as well, and recently concluded with the decision to re-open as a corporate location.
The spokesperson added that all impacted customers are eligible for a refund or rescheduling in the future.
City of El Paso terminated 380 agreement with iFly Indoor Skydiving because of contested property appraisal
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The iFly Indoor Skydiving facility in West El Paso remains closed with no clear future plans in sight.
iFly opened in 2019 as part of the growing Montecillo development on the Westside.
"Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code authorizes municipalities to offer loans and grants of city funds or services at little or no cost to promote state and local economic development and to stimulate business and commercial activity," the Texas Comptroller's website explains.
Customer reviews on Google indicate the facility closed in early August, with multiple posts saying they booked in advance and arrived to closed doors with no employees in sight.
The location's website remains active, but does not provide a phone number, email, street address or hours of operation.
ABC-7 reached out to iFly's corporate office multiple times over the past two days and received no response.
"I think as a general policy, reviewing 380 agreements is always good," Former El Paso City Rep Brian Kennedy said.
"We need to check a percentage of them every year just to make sure everybody is doing what they're supposed to do."
ABC-7 found doors locked and no employees in sight, but the building's exterior lights and inside computers illuminated when visiting the property Wednesday.
"The agreement with FlyZone Inc has been terminated because the company contested their property appraisal," a spokesperson with the City of El Paso told ABC-7 earlier today.
"FlyZone did meet and comply with all other provisions of the agreement, including a minimum investment of $11.7 million."
