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OST-1997-3005
http://www.mccookregionalairport.com - McCook Regional Airport
Order 1997-10-10 | OST-1995-934 | OST-1996-1715 | OST-1997-3003 | OST-1997-3005 | Issued October 14, 1997 | Served October 20, 1997
Order Reselecting Service Levels and Subsidy Rates, and Tentatively Reselecting Carrier
By this order, the Department is authorizing increased service levels and subsidy rates for the subsidized essential air service provided by Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., d/b/a United Express, at the six communities listed above beginning October 1, 1997, or when the increased service is implemented, whichever is later, through the remainder of the carrier's present rate terms. in addition, the order tentatively reselects Great Lakes to provide subsidized service at three of the communities -- Alliance, Chadron and McCook -- for a further two-year period, and provides for objections and competing proposals from other interested carriers.
By: Charles Hunnicutt
| Order 00-5-12 OST-97-3005 |
Issued May 10, 2000 Served May 15, 2000 |
Order to Show Cause | Essential Air Service at McCook, Nebraska |
| Appendix A: Map | |||
| Appendix B: Annual Compensation | |||
| Appendix C: Historical Traffic | |||
| Appendix D: EAS | |||
| Service List |
Order 2000-5-12 is tentatively reselecting Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. d/b/a United Express, to provide subsidized air service between McCook, Nebraska, and Denver for the two-year period ending May 31, 2000, at an annual subsidy rate of $1,325,289. The order also provides for objections or competing proposals from other interested carriers no later than 20 days from the date of service (June 6, 2000).
By: Bradley Mims
| Order 02-7-20 OST-97-2706 OST-97-2960 OST-99-6589 OST-96-1266 OST-97-3005 OST-97-2958 OST-97-2959 OST-97-2981 OST-97-2694 OST-97-2827 |
Issued July 11, 2002 Served July 11, 2002 |
Order Extending Subsidy Rates | Essential Air Service at Page, Arizona; Alamosa, California; Pueblo, Colorado; Ironwood, Michigan/Ashland, Wisconsin; McCook, Nebraska; Laramie, Nebraska; Rock Springs, Wyoming; Worland, Wyoming; Moab, Utah and Vernal, Utah |
The Department extends the interim subsidy rates of Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., for the provision of essential air service at Page, Arizona, Alamosa, and Pueblo, Colorado, Ironwood, Michigan/Ashland, Wisconsin, McCook, Nebraska, Laramie, Rock Springs, and Worland, Wyoming, and at Moab and Vernal, Utah, as set forth in Order 2002-2-13, until further action.
By: Randall Bennett
| Order 02-10-37 OST-96-1715 OST-97-3005 |
October 29, 2002 Docketed October 30, 2002 |
Order Requesting Proposals | Essential Air Service at McCook, Nebraska |
Order 2002-10-37, the Department requests proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at Kearney and McCook, Nebraska.
Great Lakes was last selected to provide subsidized service at Kearney by Order 2000-55, and at McCook by Order 2000-5-12. Annual subsidy rates were set at $839,487 for Kearney, and $1,325,289 for McCook. In the aftermath of the events of September 11, 2001, we extended the subsidy rates at both communities pending further Department action by Order 2002-5-3, May 3, 2002, in the case of Kearney, and by Order 2002-7-20, July 11, 2002, in the case of McCook. Great Lakes' current service at each community consists of 18 weekly nonstop flights to Denver using 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft, with about one-half of the flights originating at Grand Island, Nebraska.
We request that any carriers interested in providing essential air service at either Kearney, or McCook, or both, file their proposals within 20 days of the service date of this order. We ask that carriers submit proposals for two or three, nonstop or one-stop, round trips each weekday and weekend to Denver or Kansas City in the case of Kearney, and to Denver in the case of McCook, with 15-19 seat aircraft. We will also entertain proposals to other hubs that provide access to the National air transportation system in order to give the Depaitnnent and each community as broad an array of proposals as possible from which to choose.
By: Read Van de Water
Essential Air Service at Kearney and McCook, Nebraska
| OST-96-1715 OST-97-3005 |
November 21, 2002 Docketed December 4, 2002 |
Response of Mesa Air Group | Essential Air Service at Kearney and McCook, Nebraska |
| Index of Exhibits | |||
| Exhibits |
By: Scott Lyon
| OST-1997-3005 | December 4, 2002 Docketed December 5, 2002 |
Proposal of Great Lakes Aviation | Essential Air Service at McCook, Nebraska |
By: Douglas Voss
Essential Air Service at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Order 03-12-2
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, NE
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
Issued December 2, 2003 | Served December 5, 2003
The Department had already issued orders requesting proposals from carriers interested in serving these communities. However, by letter dated July 14, 2003, the Mayor of Grand Island, the Chairman of the Hall County Airport Authority, and the Chair of the Hall County Board of Supervisors requested that the Department seek proposals offering Grand Island service to a hub to the east, rather than to Denver. In addition, other communities (especially Kearney) have indicated that they, too, are interested in seeking alternatives to the status quo. Further, we have decided to make an additional effort to seek service for Norfolk that falls within the statutory $200 per passenger ceiling. As a result, we ask carriers to construct their proposals so that the subsidy attributable to Norfolk can be readily identified or allocated. (We emphasize that this does not necessarily assure Norfolk of continued eligibility for subsidized service, nor does it grant the community an indefinite time period to attempt to boost its traffic levels. We are primarily interested in seeing proposals for Norfolk that potentially exhibit lower overall costs than the traditional Norfolk-North Platte-Denver package.) Moreover, essential air service at Nebraska communities has traditionally been interconnected to a significant extent. (For example, two of Grand Island's three flights to Denver currently make an intermediate stop at McCook, and Norfolk's service to Denver involves a stop at either Grand Island or Kearney.) Based on all of the above, we find that this is clearly a case that merits being processed in one comprehensive case under our new, streamlined carrier selection procedures.
By: Michael Reynolds
December 14, 2003
Resolutions from the Communities of Kearney and McCook, Nebraska
Our communities believe the "Keamey/McCook EAS Contract Response" is a market based solution that clearly represents the needs of the air service consumers in our area. During the past 7 years, the Air Transportation Committee of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce has kept in constant contact with the major employers in the area, and the need to fly East and South resounds and continues to be of paramount importance to the group. Denver is not perceived as a hub for Easterly or Southerly travel, nor do we think it ever will be, due to a variety of factors including time zone changes and air service patterns!
In summary we believe that joining McCook and Kearney in the proposed routing configuration to Kansas City and Denver, coupled with the commitment of both communities to promote the routes, will be a winning situation for the successful airline bidding on the routes; the communities in the "catchment area;" the DOT as custodian of public funding for EAS; and the area consumers who use air service.
By: Thomas Henning, Kearney Air Transportation Committee
Essential Air Service at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, NE
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
December 30, 2003
Re: Extension of Due Date for Proposals (Letter to Northwest on behalf of Mesa)
We have received your letter on behalf of Mesaba Airlines requesting an extension to submit its proposal to provide EAS at Grand Island, Nebraska, in response to Order 2003-12-2. That order also requested proposals for Kearney, McCook, Norfolk, North Platte and Scottsbluff. We also received a letter from the Hall County (Grand Island) Airport Authority supporting your request. Because we issued a Request for Proposals for the six communities in Nebraska as a package, we hereby grant your request and will extend the due date for all interested carriers to submit proposals for all six communities to January 20, 2004.
By: Dennis DeVany
Essential Air Service at Alamosa, Colorado / Kearney, McCook, Nebraska / Pueblo, Colorado / Rock Springs, Wyoming
Order 04-1-13
OST-97-2960 - Alamosa, CO
OST-96-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-99-6589 - Pueblo, CO
OST-97-2959 - Rock Springs, WY
Issued January 14, 2004 | Served January 20, 2004
By this order, we are setting past-period and prospective subsidy rates for Great Lakes Aviation's provision of essential air service at the five communities listed above in two steps. First, we are setting rates retroactive to October 1, 2001, through the ends of the various contract periods, adjusting for the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Second, we are setting rates from the end of those respective contract periods until further Department action.
By: Karan Bhatia
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, NE
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
January 20, 2004
Response of Westward Airways to Request for Proposals
Westward Airways desires to forward a service proposal for Dockets OST-1 996-1715 and OST-1998-3704. Although Westward Airways is not yet operational, the Company has been awarded its Final Order proposing issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Interstate Air Transportation (Docket OST-02-14071)
By: Westward, Kristi Feusner, 308-220-2838
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, NE
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
December 23, 2003
Re: Proposal of Corporate Airlines for Service at Grand Island, NE
Enclosed are two proposals for Grand Island, NE. One envisions one-stop service to St. Louis over Kansas City utilizing 19 seat J32 aircraft. The projected cost covers only the GRI-MCI flying, and nothing for the MCI-STL leg. The other proposal is based on the utilization of 30 seat EMB equipment serving St. Louis nonstop from Grand Island. We would operate either proposed service as American Connection.
By: Fred Breeden, 615-223-6844
January 20, 2004
Proposal of Great Lakes Aviation
Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. Hereby submits our proposals to provide essential air transportation at these points in Nebraska
By: Great Lakes, Dave Thomas, 307-432-7000
January 22, 2004
Proposal of Mesa Air Group (Replaced)
Pages Inadvertently Ommitted by DOT Staff
The bids Mesa is submitting have varying levels of frequency and link some of the communities in different service patterns. Mesa has also enclosed several options which offer service to Kansas City. The Kansas City options were based on feedback from the communities and provide enhanced air travel options.
By: Mesa, Scott Lyon, 602-685-4368
January 20, 2004
Proposal of Mesaba Airlines - Grand Island, Nebraska
Attached please find details of the application of Mesaba Aviation, d/b/a Mesaba Airlines (Mesaba) for EAS subsidy between Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN and Grand Island, Nebraska. Mesaba would provide this service as Northwest Airlink, beginning service no later than June 10, 2004, with some flexibility to begin service earlier if necessary. We propose to operate twice daily nonstop round-trips between these cities, excepting one MSP-GRI trip on Saturday, and one GRI-MSP trip on Sunday.
By: Mesaba, John Spanjers
January 19, 2004
Proposal of Multi-Aero - Norfolk, Nebraska
Attached please find our proposal to provide Essential Air Service at Norfolk, Nebraska. We will utilize 19‑seat, twin‑engine, pressurized aircraft, initially configured for 14 passengers and fitted with an onboard lavatory. We will operate three round‑trips per day, with an intermediate stop at Lincoln, Nebraska. Worksheets detailing our forecasted operations and a preliminary schedule are included with this submission.
We have chosen a Lincoln‑Kansas City routing based upon discussions with Norfolk officials and our analysis of the respective markets. Revenue estimates are based upon historical information, together with anticipated increases due to a more reasonable fare structure. Operating expenses are based on our own experiences in aviation operations and the aircraft manufacturer's actual direct cost operating history.
By: Mutli-Aero, Darnea Wood
January 30, 2004
Service List for Great Lakes' Proposal
By: Great Lakes, Dave Thomas
December 16, 2003
Re: City of Kearney and City of McCook Letter in Support of Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: City of Kearney and City of McCook
January 15, 2004
Re: Senator Joel Johnson Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Joel Johnson
January 16, 2004
Re: Scorr Marketing Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Cindy Orr
January 19, 2004
Re: Jeffrey Orr Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Jeffrey Orr
January 20, 2004
Re: Senator Jim Cudaback Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Jim Cudaback
January 20, 2004
Re: Senator Jim Jones Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Jim Jones
January 23, 2004
Re: AAA Travel Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Deb Wirth
January 28, 2004
Re: Coleman Powermate Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Bob Schwarting
February 2, 2004
Re: Marshall Engines Letter in Support of EAS at Hastings, Kearney, and McCook, Nebraska
By: Norris Marshall
February 18, 2004
Re: Letter from EAS Division to Linda Taylor, Mayor of McCook - Update on Essential Air Service and Request for Comment
Re: Letter from EAS Division to McCook Municipal Airport - Update on Essential Air Service and Request for Comment
Re: Letter from EAS Division to Nebraska Department of Aeronautics - Update on Essential Air Service and Request for Comments
I would like to update you on the essential air service situation at the current Nebraska essential air service situation and to give you an opportunity to submit any comments if you wish. As you know, by Order 2003-12-2, December 2, 2003, the Department solicited proposals from all interested air carriers to provide service at Grand Island, Keamey, McCook, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff. In response to that order, we received an unprecedented 59 proposal options from six carriers-Corporate Airlines, Great Lakes Aviation, Mesa Air Group, Mesaba Aviation, Multi-Aero, and Westward Airways.
My purpose in writing to you at this time is to request any final comments you might have on the carriers' service and subsidy proposals before we submit a recommendation on the carrier selection issue to the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs.
By: Office of Aviation Analysis, Dennis DeVany
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Hastings and Kearney, Nebraska
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, Nebraska
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, Nebraska
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, Nebraska
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, Nebraska
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, Nebraska
February 25, 2004
Re: Requesting a Seven Day Extension for EAS Comments
Western Nebraska Regional Airport is formally requesting a seven day extension for EAS comments. The Airport Authority Board meeting is scheduled to meet Wednesday, March 18, 2004 which is the day the comments are due. The one week extension will allow time for the board to make an appropriate decision and relay the information to you. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
By: Darwin Skelton
Issued and Served March 11, 2004
We have received a request dated February 25, 2004, from the Airport Manager of the Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff, requesting a seven-day extension for submitting the airport’s comments. In support of his request, the Airport Manager states that the Airport Authority Board meeting is scheduled for March 18, the day comments are due.
Because we recognize that scheduled meetings of local governmental bodies may occur at inopportune times relative to our letter, we will grant this request. Many of the proposals for the six Nebraska points involve routings that link two or more essential air service communities, therefore we will grant all of the civic parties an additional week, until March 25, 2004, to submit their comments on the service proposals for their communities.
By: Dennis DeVany
March 16, 2004
Re: Preferred Air Carrier and Priority Preference of Air Service Routes
By unanimous vote, the McCook City Council took the following action in response to your Letter of February 18,2004 at the March 15,2004 City Council Meeting:
1. Our preferred air carrier is Great Lakes Airlines.
2. Our Priority Preference of Air Service Routes is as follows:
First Choice: The proposed Denver - McCook - Kearney - Kansas City Route described in the enclosed information dated December 16,2004. Please note this proposal is jointly signed by the Mayors of Kearney and the City of McCook. This "partnership" between the cities of Kearney and McCook was approved by both City Councils and has not been revoked.
Second Choice: Utilize any air route coming from the east, if necessary, to maintain McCook’s current air service to and from Denver.
By: John Bingham, City Manager / Airport Manager
Essential Air Service at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, Norfolk, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Order 04-5-15
OST-02-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-96-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-97-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-98-3704 - EAS at Norfolk, NE
OST-99-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-03-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
Issued May 20, 2004 | Served May 25, 2004
By this order, we are selecting Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., to provide essential air service with subsidy support at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, for two years at a total annual subsidy of $5,233,287. We are also making final the termination of the eligibility of Norfolk, Nebraska, to receive subsidized essential air service proposed in Order 2003-6-25, June 19, 2003.
By: Karan Bhatia
Order 2006-3-10
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
Issued and Served March 13, 2006
Order Requesting Proposals - Bookmarked
By Order 2004-5-15, May 25, 2004, the Department selected Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., to provide essential air service with subsidy support at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, North Platte, and Scottsbluff. Nebraska, through June 30, 2006, at a total annual subsidy of $5,233,287. Under that order, Great Lakes provides three nonstop round trips to Denver with Beech 1900D aircraft for each community. The associated annual subsidy rates for each community were set at $1,198,396 for Grand Island, $1,166,849 for Kearney, $1,502,651 for McCook, $870,504 for North Platte, and $494,887 for Scottsbluff.
As the end of the current rate term approaches, we are here requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing service at any or all of the five Nebraska communities, with or without subsidy, for the two-year period beginning July 1, 2006. Carriers should file their proposals within 30 days of the date of service of this order.
With respect to the Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte, and Scottsbluff, we expect proposals consisting of service, at a minimum, with two-pilot, twin-engine aircraft with at least 15 passenger seats, and offering two round trips each weekday and each weekend with 30-passenger aircraft or three round trips each weekday and each weekend with 19-passenger aircraft from the essential air service community to a suitable hub. Regarding McCook, we noted in the current carrier selection order that we were concerned about the low traffic levels, but agreed to continue to subsidize three round trips a day, and that we would seriously consider reducing that to two round trips a day if passengers levels did not increase. During the past two years, traffic has not risen to levels that warrant three round trips a day. During 2005, McCook averaged only 7.2 enplanements per day.
With respect to Grand Island, the community has asked that we encourage carriers to consider a proposal that would offer service to a suitable hub to the east, such as Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul, or St. Louis for example. We encourage proposals that meet those requirements in an efficient manner. Carriers are also welcome to propose more than one service option, if they choose; they need not limit themselves to those requirements if they envision other, potentially more attractive service possibilities -- different hubs, for example -- with subsidy requirements that remain competitive.
By: Todd Homan
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
April 12, 2006
Request for Extension of Time to File Proposal for EAS at Grand Island, NE
Northwest Airlines would like to request an extension of time to file a proposal to provide essential air service at Grand Island, Nebraska. We request that the Department extend the deadline for filing proposals for 10 days.
Counsel: Northwest, Sally Veith, 202-842-2437, sally.veith@nwa.com
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
April 12, 2006
Granting Request for Time Extension | Word
We have received your letter on behalf of Northwest Airlines requesting an extension to submit its proposal to provide EAS at Grand Island, Nebraska, in response to Order 2006-3-10. That order also requested proposals for Kearney, McCook, North Platte and Scottsbluff. Because we issued a Request for Proposals for the five communities in Nebraska as a package, we hereby grant your request and will extend the due date for all interested carriers to submit proposals for all five communities to April 21, 2006.
By: Dennis DeVany
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
April 21, 2006
Proposal of Mesa Air Group, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest - Bookmarked
Air Midwest is pleased to submit three proposals to provide Essential Air Service at these 5 Nebraska airports. Mesa's proposed options would contemplate combination service with hubs at Denver, Omaha or Kansas City. Mesa proposes to operate all flights as America West Express/US Airways Express.
All operations proposed would utilize our modem fleet of Raytheon/Beechcraft B-1900D airliners. These aircraft offer a very comfortable 19-seat, pressurized cabin with two turboprop engines.
To Denver To Kansas City To Omaha Grand Island $59.00 $49.00 Kearney $59.00 $49.00 McCook $59.00 $49.00 North Platte $59.00 $49.00 Scottsbluff $69.00 $79.00
By: Mickey Bowman
April 20, 2006
Proposal of Big Sky Airlines - Bookmarked | Word
Market Weekday Flights Weekend Flights Proposed One-way EASYFARE Subsidy Requirement 1. Scottsbluff to Denver 3 3 $120 $625,252 2. McCook to Denver 3 3 $121 $1,893,012 3. McCook to Denver 2 2 $121 $1,242,209 4. North Platte to Denver 3 3 $123 $1,027,673 5. Kearney to Denver 3 3 $130 $1,362,543 6. Kearney to Denver (2 flights) and Kansas City (1 flight) 3 3 $130/$130 $1,355,226 7. Grand Island to Denver 3 3 $134 $1,582,363 8. Grand Island to Denver (1 flight) and Kansas City (2 flights) 3 3 $134/$99 $1,350,668 9. Grand Island to Denver (2 flights) and Kansas City (1 flight) 3 3 $134/$99 $1,479,045 10. Grand Island to Denver (1 flight) and Minneapolis (2 flights) 3 3 $134/$135 $1,555,079
Big Sky offers code-share service with its partners, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, America West Airlines, which became a much larger US Airways, after the completion of its merger, and Northwest Airlines.
Big Sky will operate the Nebraska service proposed herein with the 19-seat Beechcraft 1900D aircraft.
By: Big Sky, Fred deLeeuw, 406-247-3912, fred.deleeuw@bigskyair.com
April 21, 2006
Proposal of Great Lakes Aviation - Bookmarked
Proposal Number Service Point(s) Hub(s) Served Round Trips Subsidy Requirement 1 McCook Denver 3 $1,911,246 2 McCook Denver 2 $1,383,894 3 North Platte Denver 3 $976,026 4 North Platte Denver 2 $720,577 5 Grand Island Denver 3 $1,390,707 6 Grand Island Denver 2 $862,267 7 Scottsbluff Denver 3 $520,137 8 Scottsbluff Denver 2 $503,444 9 Kearney Denver 3 $1,327,527 10 Kearney Denver 2 $929,055 11 McCook/Grand Island DEN/OMA or MCI 3 $2,250,384 12 Kearney Denver 3 $897,142
The Great Lakes proposal contemplates conveniently timed connecting services with our Code Share partners United and Frontier at our Denver Hub or East bound Hub. Our code share agreements will give each of these Nebraska communities the greatest competitive opportunity available.
The proposal contemplates the use of pressurized 19-seat Beech 1900D's or 30-seat Brasilias.
By: Great Lakes, Michael Matthews, 307-432-7030, mmathhews@greatlakesav.com
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
April 20, 2006
Mesaba Aviation, Inc. doing business as Northwest Airlink, is enclosing its detailed subsidy proposal for essential air service at Grand Island, NE at a level of two round-trip flights per day, using 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft from Northwest's MSP hub.
Depart MSP Arrive GRI Depart GRI Arrive MSP 1340 1540 0730 0940 2050 2300 1605 1805
By: Mesaba, John Spanjers
OST-2002-13983 - EAS at Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - EAS at Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - EAS at McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - EAS at North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - EAS at Scottsbluff, NE
April 27, 2006
I would like to update you on the essential air service situation at McCook and give you an opportunity to submit any comments if you wish. As you know, by Order 2006-3-10, March 13, 2006, the Department solicited proposals from all interested air carriers to provide service at Grand Island, Kearney, McCook, North Platte, and Scottsbluff. In response to that order, we received a total of 26 proposal options from four carriers ‑ Big Sky Airlines, Great Lakes Airlines, Mesa Air Group dlb/a Air Midwest, and Mesaba Airlines. While we would normally compose a brief summary of all of the proposals, that is not practical in this case given the number of options.
May 22, 2006
Re: City of McCook Preference for Mesa Air Group
Our preference for air carrier is as follows:
First Choice: Mesa Air Group
Second Choice: Big Sky Airlines
Third Choice: Great Lakes Airlines
Our preference of Air Service Routes is as follows:
First Choice: Mesa option #2 with 12 one stop flights to Omaha.
Second Choice: Mesa option #1 with 12 one stop flights to Omaha.
Third Choice: Big Sky option #2 with 18 weekly flights to Denver.
Fourth Choice: Big Sky option #3 with 12 weekly flights to Denver.
Fifth Choice: Great Lakes proposal #1 with 18 weekly flights to Denver.
Sixth Choice: Great Lakes proposal #2 with 12 weekly flights to Denver.
By: Kyle Potthoff
Order 2006-6-26
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
Issued June 21, 2006 | Served June 26, 206
By this order, we are selecting Air Midwest for service at Grand Island and McCook, Nebraska, for two years, beginning when the carrier inaugurates full service, at a total annual subsidy of $2,296,462 for both communities. Grand Island will receive two nonstop round trips to Omaha each weekday and weekend (12 total round trips per week) and one nonstop round trip each weekday and weekend to Kansas City (6 total round trips per week): McCook will receive two one-stop round trips each weekday and weekend to Omaha (12 one-stop round trips per week); both Grand Island and McCook will be served with 19-passenger Beech 1900-D aircraft.
We are also selecting Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd.. to provide essential air service with subsidy support at Kearney. North Platte, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska. for two years, beginning when Mesa Air Group d/b/a Air Midwest inaugurates service at Grand Island and McCook. at a total annual subsidy ofS2,393.305 ($897,142 for Kearney; $976,026 for North Platte; and $520,137 for Scottsbluff). Each community will receive three nonstop round trips to Denver each weekday and weekend (18 total round trips per week) with Beech 1900-D aircraft.
The total annual subsidy for all five Nebraska communities in this Order is $4,689,767 compared to the current rates of $5,233,287.
By: Michael Reynolds
Order 2006-6-26
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1999-5173 - North Platte, NE
OST-2003-14535 - Scottsbluff, NE
June 23, 2006
Clarification to Order 2006-6-26
Order 2006-6-26 reselected Great Lakes to provide EAS at Kearney, North Platte, and Scottsbluff beginning July 1, 2006, but selected Air Midwest to replace Great Lakes at Grand Island and McCook. As we discussed on page 6 of the Order, we want to keep all communities on the same time cycle. As stated in the "Action on Great Lakes' provision of service for an interim period" paragraph on page 7 of the Order, the Department will reset the two-year clock at all five Nebraska communities on the date that Air Midwest inaugurates service at Grand Island and McCook. Therefore, in Appendices C, pages 3 through 5, the effective period should read "Date of inauguration of service by Air Midwest at Grand Island and McCook through the end of the 24th month thereafter."
In addition, because Air Midwest will not be able to inaugurate service at Grand Island or McCook by July 1, we need to set short‑term payouts for Great Lakes for the two communities from July 1 until Air Midwest takes over. The attached appendices with subsidy per flight and weekly compensation ceilings for Great Lakes' service at Grand Island and McCook should have been included in Order 2006‑6‑26.
By: Kevin Schlemmer
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
July 13, 2006
Petition of Hall County Airport Authority for Modification of Order 2006-6-26 | Word
On June 26, 2006, the Hall County Airport Authority received from the Department of Transportation, Order 2006-6-26 “Order Selecting Carrier” for Grand Island. The Order selects Air Midwest to provide 12 total round trips to Omaha per week and 6 round trips to Kansas City per week.
In a special board meeting held on Monday, July 10, 2006, the Airport Authority Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the filing of this Petition for Modification of Essential Air Service Level for the purpose of requesting the Department to reconsider and modify the aforementioned Order.
The Hall County Airport Authority firmly believes that the designated EAS level as provided in the Order is inadequate, was entered in error, and should be modified for the following reasons:
We ask that the Department follow the Airport Authority Board’s earlier recommendation and award this contract to Big Sky Airlines and accept their proposal #8 providing 12 weekly non-stop flights to Kansas City and 6 weekly non-stop flights to Denver. This proposal is cost effective, provides for more reliable service, and is highly supported by the community.
By: Michael Olson
Order 2006-8-2
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1996-1715 - Kearney, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
Issued August 3, 2006 | Served August 8, 2006
Order Granting Motion to File and Denying Petition for Reconsideration
On July 13, 2006, the Hall County Airport Authority, on behalf of Grand Island filed a petition for reconsideration of Order 2006-6-26, stating that “the designated EAS level as provided in the Order is inadequate, was entered in error, and should be modified.” It claims (1) the Order did not properly consider the statutory criteria for selection of essential air service and (2) the Order does not provide viable coniniercial air service for Grand Island. It asks the Department to follow the Airport Authority Board’s recommendation and award this contract to Big Sky Airlines and accept their proposal #8 providing 12 weekly nonstop flights to Kansas City and 6 weekly nonstop flights to Denver.
With fewer passengers using the local airport, the Authority argues, its ongoing eligibility in the program could be in jeopardy because of the $200 subsidy-per-passenger cap.
By this order, the Department is granting the motion of Hall County Airport Authority to file a petition for reconsideration of Order 2006-6-26, issued June 26, 2006, and, upon review, denying its petition.
By: Michael Reynolds
September 15, 2006
Exception to Normal Payout Procedures for Subsidized Carriers at Shutdown-Airports - Memorandum
The McCook, Nebraska, airport (MCK) will be closed for runway construction during the middle part of the day from October 3 to November 10, 2006. Great Lakes Airlines currently operates subsidized EAS at McCook. Great Lakes is scheduled to end its service to McCook on October 28, 2006, while Air Midwest begins service to McCook on October 29, 2006. It has been our policy, on a case‑by‑case basis, to pay the airline its usual subsidy rate when airports have been closed on the grounds that the circumstances are beyond the carriers' control and that there are only minimal cost savings to the carriers while it would lose all of the revenue. The carriers would only save on fuel and a portion of maintenance because they would not be able to turn back aircraft or lay off personnel. Consistent with that precedent, we ask you to compensate Great Lakes Airlines and Air Midwest for flights that could not be operated in October and November due to the airport closure.
By: EAS and Domestic Analysis, Dennis DeVany
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island
OST-1997-3005 - McCook
January 21, 2008
Notice of Air Midwest to Terminate Service
Air Midwest, Inc. respectfully serves notice upon the Department of Transportation, in accordance with 14 C.F.R. §323.3 and 14 C.F.R. §323.4, of its intent to discontinue scheduled subsidized Essential Air Service between both Grand Island and McCook, Nebraska to Omaha, Nebraska as well as service between Grand Island and Kansas City, Missouri effective April 20, 2008.
By Order 2006-6-26, June 21, 2006 Air Midwest was awarded a 24 month service agreement at an annual subsidy rate of $2,296,462 for a two year term that commenced October 29, 2006 for providing 12 roundtrips per week on a routing McCook-Grand Island-Omaha and 6 roundtrips each week Grand Island-Kansas City utilizing Beech 1900D aircraft.
The termination of service by Air Midwest will reduce air transportation at these two communities to a level below the essential air service determination set forth in Order 2006-6-26. At present, Air Midwest is the sole provider of certificated scheduled air service at Grand Island and McCook, Nebraska.
By: Mesa, Tom Bacon
Order 2008-2-2
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island
OST-1997-3005 - McCook
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville
Issued February 1, 2008 | Served February 6, 2008
Order Prohibiting Termination of Service and Requesting Proposals | Word
By this order, the Department is (a) prohibiting Air Midwest from terminating its subsidized service at the nine, above-captioned communities for 30 days beyond the end of its 90-day notice period, and (b) requesting long-term proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at any or all of the communities, with or without subsidy, by February 29.
On January 22, 2008, Air Midwest filed 90-day notices with the Department of its intent to terminate its subsidized service at all nine of the above-captioned communities, plus Manhattan and Salina, Kansas,2 effective April 21, 2008. Air Midwest’s parent company, Mesa Air Group, Inc. in its 4Q2007 Revenue and Earnings statement, said that it has incurred “significant losses (at Air Midwest),” and “with little prospect of future profitability we have reluctantly begun to liquidate those assets and operations.”
With respect to each community, we expect proposals consisting of service with 15-seat or larger aircraft to a suitable hub airport, with airline connections to the national air transportation system. Service levels should be comparable to those in the table on page 2 and in Appendix D. Grand Island has specifically requested that we solicit standalone service (not connected with another city) to Kansas City (18 weekly round trips) or a combination of Kansas City (12 weekly round trips) and Denver (6 weekly round trips) service. Communities and air carriers are encouraged to work together in advance of the due date for proposals to craft a service pattern that is desirable to the community and meets the operational needs of the airline interested in submitting a proposal. In addition, carriers should be very clear as to whether a specific community’s proposal is on a stand-alone basis, or whether it is part of a larger, inseparable package with other communities.
By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro, AR
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City, MO
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin, MO
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville, MO
February 27, 2008
Re: Extension of Proposal Dates
By Order 2008-2-2, February 1, 2008, the Department requested proposals from air carriers interested in providing essential air service at any or all of the above communities for a two-year period beginning when the selected carrier or carriers is ready to inaugurate service. In an email dated February 26, the Chief Operating Office of Hawaii Island Air requested a three-week extension of the due date for filing carrier proposals for all of the communities, from February 29 to March 21. He stated in his email that he needed the additional time to better assess the markets and determine the feasibility of filing a proposal. In response, also by email dated February 26, we requested input from each of the affected communities regarding the carrier's request. Most of the communities support the request, and none objected. Therefore, we will grant the request and extend the due date for carrier proposals from February 29 to March 21.
By: Dennis DeVany
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island
OST-1997-3005 - McCook
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville
February 26, 2008
Email Message - Hawaii Island Air Request for Three-Week Extension
Hawaii Island Air is requesting a 3 week extension to better assess market and cost analysis to determine feasibility of our pending EAS application. Our intent is to bring in Dash 8 -100's to service these communities and if awarded we would like to target initial service within a 3-6 month period. I am confident that we will be able to provide an upgraded service to what is presently available to these and other out-lying communities.
By: Hawaii Island Air, Les Murashige, lmurashige@islandair.com
March 18, 2008
Service Proposals of Air Choice One
Please find our proposals to provide Essential Air Service to the communities of El Dorado, AR; Harrison, AR; Hot Springs, AR; Jonesboro, AR; Kirksville, MO. We will utilize 9-seat, twin engine turbine powered, Raytheon/Beechcraft King Air configured for 9 passenger seats. For option 12 on Kirksville we would be using a twin engine piston aircraft with six passenger seats. The aircraft will be operating with two crew members and air conditioning for passenger safety and comfort. All proposals are using St. Louis, MO as the hub.
By: Air Choice One, Shane Storz, 866-435-9847, shane@airchoiceone.com
March 21, 2008
Proposals of Great Lakes Aviation
Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. is pleased to submit these proposals to provide essential air transportation at these points in Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Each proposal should be considered a stand alone proposal.
We were not able to provide a proposal for Kirksville, MO that would comply with current legislation which limits subsidy, per passenger, at a $200 maximum. El Dorado and Hot Springs, AR are not commercially feasible for Great Lakes to serve to hubs within our current system and we feel would be better served by a carrier with an established hub in Dallas, TX.
Great Lakes will provide service at these Essential Air Service points in a similar fashion as is offered at our Denver hub and utilize our codeshare and interline agreements, which will enable connecting bag service through our Kansas City and St. Louis hubs. All proposals contemplate the use of 19 seat Beechcraft 1900D airliner equipment.
By: Great Lakes, Michael Matthews, 307-432-7000
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro, AR
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City, MO
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin, MO
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville, MO
March 21, 2008
Proposals of Hawaii Island Air
Hawaii Island Air dba Island Air respectively submits 13 proposal options for Essential Air Service at these 7 markets. These options would provide passenger service to Kansas City International Airport operating as Island Air.
Island Air currently operates 37-seat DeHavilland Dash-8-100 series aircraft in our inter-island service, and plan on utilizing the same aircraft for this service. Island Air's primary goal, besides operating within our current communities, will be to commence service to these communities in a timely manner and feel comfortable with being able to commence service within 90 to 120 days of selection.
Island Air currently operates with code shares for United Airiines & Continental Airlines and plan on having those same code shares to these markets in Kansas City. We also plan on pursuing other code share relationships in Kansas City that would be beneficial to our customers.
We would like to also reserve the right to substitute a similar 30+ seat cabin-class aircraft in place of the Dash-8 in the future, allowing us to keep our options open to growing into other aircraft.
By: Hawaii Island Air, Les Murashige, 808-840-2310, lmurashige@islandair.com
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro, AR
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City, MO
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin, MO
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville, MO
April 1, 2008
DOT Memorandum Extending Comment Period
By Order 2008-2-2, February 1, 2008, the Department prohibited Air Midwest, Inc. from terminating service at the above communities and solicited requests for proposals for essential air service. Proposals were due February 29, 2008. On February 26, Hawaii Island Air requested a 3 week extension, so that it could better assess the market and its pending EAS application. On March 25, we sent an e-mail to all of the above communities that included all proposals received for service and requested comments by April 18, 2008.
In an e-mail received April 1, the City of Columbia, Missouri, notified us of its intention to "hold a public hearing regarding the EAS proposals so that the City Coimcil will have the opportimity to hear public comments prior to making the City's determination." The city would like to set a pubhc hearing for the April 21 council meeting.
In order to give the City of Columbia enough time to summarize its response to the hearing, we will extend the deadline for community comments at all of the communities until April 23, 2008.
By: Dennis DeVany
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro, AR
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City, MO
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin, MO
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville, MO
April 8, 2008
Withdrawal of Service Options of Island Air
Please accept this as Island Air's formal withdrawal of options 3,4,6,&13 that have McCook included.
We still look forward to the opportunity to serve the other airports in this RFP and appreciate the DOT's help with this matter.
By: Island Air, Jeffrey Hartz, imapilot@gmail.com
April 11, 2008
Re: City of McCook in Support of Great Lakes Aviation
The City of McCook approves the initial proposal to have one stop service to Kansas City if no other option is available. However, based upon recent discussions, it is the preference of McCook to return to service through Denver, Colorado. Provided that this is acceptable to the DOT, we would like to begin negotiations with Great Lakes Aviation to provide service going west from McCook. There appears to be interest from Great Lakes to provide this service to McCook Regional Airport as was done two years ago by the airline.
By: City Manager, Kurt Fritsch, 308-345-2022
Order 2008-5-2
OST-2002-13983 - Grand Island, NE
OST-1997-3005 - McCook, NE
OST-1997-2935 - El Dorado/Camden, Harrison, Hot Springs and Jonesboro, AR
OST-2006-23931 - Columbia/Jefferson City, MO
OST-2006-23932 - Joplin, MO
OST-1997-2515 - Kirksville, MO
Issued and Served May 5, 2008
Order Selecting Carriers, Setting Final Subsidy Rates and Requesting Proposals - Bookmarked | Word
We request that carriers interested in providing essential air service at El Dorado/Camden, Arkansas, submit their proposals, with or without subsidy requests, no later than June 13, 2008.
The Department selects Hawaii Island Air d/b/a Island Air to provide essential air service at Grand Island, Nebraska, Harrison and Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Joplin, Missouri, as described in Appendix C, pages 1-4, beginning when the carrier inaugurates full service at all four communities through the 24th month thereafter.
The Department selects Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. to provide essential air service at McCook, Nebraska, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, as described in Appendix C, pages 5 and 6, beginning when the carrier inaugurates full service at both communities through the 24th month thereafter.
The Department selects Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Northwest Airlink to provide essential air service at Columbia/Jefferson City, Missouri, as described in Appendix C, page 7, beginning when the carrier inaugurates service through the 24th month thereafter.
The Department selects Multi-Aero, Inc. d/b/a Air Choice One to provide essential air service at Kirksville, Missouri, as described in Appendix C, page 8, beginning when the carrier inaugurates service through the 24th month thereafter.
The Department sets the final rate of compensation for Hawaii Island Air d/b/a Island Air for the provision of essential air service at Grand Island, Nebraska, Harrison and Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Joplin, Missouri, as described in Appendix B, page 1, payable as follows: for each calendar month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceilings set forth in Appendix C, pages 1-4, and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights completed during the month by $1,233.08 (Grand Island); $1,949.02 (Harrison); $1,140.67 (Hot Springs); and $703.09 (Joplin).
The Department sets the final rate of compensation for Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. for the provision of essential air service at McCook, Nebraska, and Jonesboro, Arkansas, as described in Appendix B, page 2 and 3, payable as follows: for each calendar month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceilings set forth in Appendix C, pages 5 and 6, and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights completed during the month by $1,290.36 (McCook); and $1,310.01 (Jonesboro).
The Department sets the final rate of compensation for Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Northwest Airlink for the provision of essential air service at Columbia/Jefferson City, Missouri, as described in Appendix B, page 4, payable as follows: for each calendar month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceilings set forth in Appendix C, page 6, and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights completed during the month by $1,083.54.
The Department sets the final rate of compensation for Multi-Aero, Inc. d/b/a Air Choice One for the provision of essential air service at Kirksville, Missouri, as described in Appendix B, page 5, payable as follows: for each calendar month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceilings set forth in Appendix C, page 8, and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights completed during the month by $717.23.
By: Michael Reynolds
May 14, 2008
Re: Service Termination of Air Midwest
Air Midwest reluctantly advises the Department that it has decided to discontinue all air carrier operations, liquidate its assets and surrender its FAA and DOT certificates. The service terminations will occur on the following schedule:
Air Midwest has no choice but to shutdown operations. Air Midwest has determined that it does not have the financial resources to continue air carrier operations. Air Midwest is in severe financial distress due to the fact that it has incurred significant and unrelenting losses over many years and has no prospect of future profitability, particular in light of current conditions, including record high fuel prices.
This decision should come as no surprise to the Department as Air Midwest previously advised the Department of its intention to withdraw its services beginning over a year ago with its first traunch of termination notices. In addition, representatives of Air Midwest met with Dennis DeVany on March 6, 2008 to advise that Air Midwest would shortly go out of business.
While the Department solicited proposals for subsidized replacement service at these points, to date replacement services have commenced at only six points-Cedar City, Moab, Vernal, Manhattan, Salina and Alamogordo. Over nine months ago the Department selected Great Lakes Aviation to provide subsidized essential air service at Merced, Visalia, and Ely, but inexplicably Great Lakes has not yet commenced its proposed service at those points.
Air Midwest's situation is similar to the situations involving Big Sky Airlines and Skyway Airlines, both of which terminated all of their air services earlier this year. On December 20, 2007, Big Sky announced its intent to terminate all service on January 7, 2008. Although the Department issued a hold-in Order and sought replacement carriers on an emergency basis, it recognized that Big Sky would not provide service during the hold-in period. See DOT Order 2007-12-20. Similarly, Skyway Airlines terminated all air service on April 5, 2008, after a long hold-in period and prior to the commencement of service by replacement carriers. As with Big Sky and Skyway, Air Midwest does not have the financial wherewithal to continue its air carrier operations.
Counsel: Hogan & Hartson, Robert Cohn, 202-637-4999, recohn@hhlaw.com
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