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OST-1999-6589

EAS Docket

Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. 

Counsel:  Great Lakes, Douglas Voss, 712.262.1000

Great Lakes Aviation is the only carrier providing scheduled air services and operating to and from Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo, Colorado. Termination of service by Great Lakes Aviation at Pueblo, Colorado will result in (a) Loss of all scheduled air service to and from Pueblo, Colorado.  (b) Injury to the Pueblo Memorial Airport and the public, specifically the people living within Pueblo County, Colorado and surrounding counties who will be denied reasonable access to scheduled air services.

By:  City of Pueblo, Thomas E. Jagger

Order 2000-2-25 is prohibiting Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., from suspending service at Pueblo, Colorado, and requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing replacement essential air service at the community, within 20 days after the date of service of this order.

By:  Bradley Mims

Order 2000-4-25 is extending Great Lakes' service obligation at Pueblo, Colorado, for an additional 30 days, through May 1, 2000.  

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Bradley Mims

Because a $50 million budget can no longer cover the program's current commitments, the Administration's budget proposal also includes a proposal to revise some of the standards under which communities are ineligible for subsidy-supported scheduled air service. Under the proposed revisions, communities would not be eligible if they are:

• Located within 100 highway miles of the nearest large or medium hub airport² The current standard is 70 highway miles for both large and medium hubs. Located within 70 highway miles of the nearest small hub airport. There is no current standard addressing communities' proximity to small hub airports.
• Located within 50 highway miles of the nearest non-hub airport offering jet service. There is no current standard addressing communities' proximity to non-hub jet service.

The statutory prohibition against continuing to subsidize communities requiring subsidy of more than $200 per passenger, except for exceptionally isolated points, would remain unchanged.  The proposed revisions would allow the Department to continue to meet its core obligation of ensuring that truly isolated communities continue to receive at least a minimum level of scheduled air service and thereby remain connected to the national air transportation system. At the same time, it would curtail spending for local service at communities that are within reasonable driving distances of service at other airports.

In light of the program's current spending rate and the Administration's budget proposal, we have decided to issue this statement of proposed policy now, to give the communities and carriers ample notice of the program reductions that we will implement in the event that Congress enacts them into law. Those reductions will result in the termination of subsidy at the 17 communities listed below as of October 1, 2001 -- the first day of fiscal year 2002 -- and will allow the carriers providing subsidized service at those communities to discontinue service on the same date, if they choose, without the need to provide individual notice. Implementation of the reductions at the very outset of the next fiscal year is necessary for program spending to remain within the proposed $50 million budget. Waiting to initiate the process until Congress has already acted could delay implementation of the reductions and require us to make even deeper program cuts, affecting more communities, in order to remain within our budgetary constraints.

By:  Susan McDermott

By:  Regional Aviation Partners, Maurice Parker

By:  Pueblo Memorial Airport, John O'Neal, 719.948.3355

By:  Regional Aviation Partners, Maurice Parker, 202.685.4186

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

By various orders in 2000, Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. (Great Lakes) was selected to provide subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) to each of the above communities. Under our normal procedures when nearing the end of a subsidy rate term, we contact the incumbent carrier to determine whether it is interested in continuing service and whether it will continue to require subsidy. We usually negotiate a new subsidy rate with the carrier, issue an order tentatively reselecting it for a new rate term at the agreed rate, and direct other parties to show cause why we should not finalize our tentative decision. Other carriers wishing to submit competing proposals are invited to do so in response to the show-cause order; if any such proposals are filed, we process them as a competitive case. However, the Department recently became aware of other carriers that are interested in providing EAS at one or more of the above communities. In view of this situation, and to save time, we will forego our discussions with Great Lakes and immediately initiate a formal carrier selection case. Thus, we are issuing an order seeking replacement service proposals for essential air service at each of the communities for new two-year contract periods.

By:  Read C. Van de Water

By:  Mary Schneider

By:  Mesa Air Group, Scott Lyon

By:  Great Lakes, Douglas Voss

Order 04-01-10
OST-97-2960 - Alamosa, Colorado
OST-98-3508 - Cortez, Colorado
OST-99-6589 - Pueblo, Colorado

Issued January 13, 2004 | Served January 16, 2004

Order Requesting Propsals | Word

By this order, the Department is requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at the three Colorado communities listed above for a future two-year period, with or without subsidy.

Great Lakes has served all of these communities since 1998. During the year ended March 31, 2003, the most recent 12-month period for which traffic data are available, Alamosa averaged 12.5 enplanements a day, Cortez 19.0, and Pueblo 5.8 . These figures represent declines of 18 to 52 percent from levels registered during calendar year 2000, prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11.

By: Karan Bhatia

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

Order Setting Final Rates

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

March 29, 2004

Re: Request for Community Comments from Lee Ebett, City Manager

I would like to update you on the essential air service situation at Pueblo and to give you an opportunity to submit any comments if you wish. As you know, by Order 2004- 1-1 0, January 13, 2004, the Department solicited proposals from all interested air carriers to provide service at Alamosa, Cortez, and Pueblo. In response to that order, we received 27 proposal options from Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., and Mesa Air Group, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest. While we would normally write up a brief summary of all of the proposals, that is not practical in this case given the number of options. 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: Essential Air Service Division, Dennis DeVany

March 29, 2004

Re: Request for Community Comments from Randy Thurston, Pueblo City Council

By: Essential Air Service Division, Dennis DeVany

March 29, 2004

Re: Request for Community Comments from Dan Centa, Pueblo Memorial Airport

By: Essential Air Service Division, Dennis DeVany

March 29, 2004

Re: Request for Community Comments from Travis Vallin, Colorado Department of Transportation

By: Essential Air Service Division, Dennis DeVany

April 22, 2004

Re: Response of the City of Pueblo to Proposals

As evidenced in the historical data provided with Order 2004‑1‑10, Pueblo's air traffic has experienced a steady decline from 1999 through 2002. Our goal is to revitalize our enterprise and continually improve our air traffic productivity. Pueblo City Council's recommendations were influenced by both our community goals and our current essential air service, which provides 3 daily round trip flights to Denver. Both recommendations seek to maintain the spirit of our current level of service. We feel our recommendation is essential to build a strong aviation future for Pueblo. Thus, we support the following option as our first priority:

• Mesa Air Group, Inc. (d/b/a Air Midwest) - Option 10: Two daily round trip flights to Denver and one daily round trip flight Albuquerque.
• Our second choice would be: 2. Mesa Air Group, Inc. (dlb/a Air Midwest) ‑ Option 3: Three daily round trip flights to Denver.

By: Randy Thurston

Order 04-07-10
OST-97-2960 - Essential Air Service at Alamosa, CO
OST-98-3508 -90-Day Notice of Suspension - Cortez, CO
OST-99-6589 - Ninety Day Notice to Terminate Service at Pueblo, Colorado

Issued July 15, 2004 | Served July 20, 2004

Order Selecting Carrier and Setting Final Subsidy Rates | Word

After a thorough review of the carriers' proposals and the communities' comments, we have decided to select Great Lakes to continue providing Alamosa's and Cortez's service for a new two-year period. We are selecting Mesa/Air Midwest to provide service at Pueblo. Our decision is consistent with the communities' preferences and statutory criteria. The two carriers' proposed rates are reasonable, and both carriers' service at these and other subsidized essential air service communities continues to be satisfactory.

Both communities seek upgrades to the service that they are currently receiving in the form of service to a second hub (Albuquerque or Phoenix). As we fully discussed in Order 2004-5-15, May 20, 2004 (making essential air service carrier selections at five Nebraska communities), though, we are disinclined to support new service to second hubs.

By: Karan Bhatia

May 9, 2005

Notice of Pueblo, Colorado to Petition for Implementation of the Codeshare Pilot Program

Air Midwest currently serves our community with subsidized Essential Air Service to Denver. Air Midwest operates these flights under the Mesa Airlines brand, without any codeshare arrangement. Although Air Midwest has provided a good product, the lack of a codeshare arrangement at a major hub has not enabled our community to maximize the number of passengers that we believe exist. We are aware that Air Midwest has had numerous discussions with major airlines regarding potential codeshares, but to date they have been unsuccessful. Both Air Midwest and Pueblo feel, however, that our community could experience a further increase in traffic if we are involved in the Codeshare Pilot Program that is set forth by the Vision 100 legislation.

The Codeshare Pilot Program could prove to be quite beneficial for Pueblo, allowing for even easier access to the National Transportation System by allowing Air Midwest to engage in multiple codesharing relationships with major airlines in Denver. The Codeshare Pilot Program can and should increase the number of passengers utilizing the current air service, thereby helping to reduce our community's reliance upon the Essential Air Service Program.

By: Pueblo, Colorado, Robert Schilling

June 21, 2005

Notice of Air Midwest to Terminate Scheduled Air Service

Though Air Midwest would prefer to continue providing scheduled air service in Pueblo, Colorado the substantial costs resulting from ever increasing fuel costs and outrageous handling costs being charged by contract carriers in Denver have forced this action. Additionally, in Mesa's original bid, it was the company's intent to provide maintenance support to the Pueblo line of flight via links to our existing Dallas Ft. Worth system by rotating these aircraft over the, then existing, routes of Ponca City and Enid, OK. Unfortunately, Mesa was deprived of this link by the subsequent award of Ponca City and Enid service to Great Lakes. The net effect is that we have been forced to add additional maintenance legs from our Farmington, New Mexico maintenance base to adequately maintain this aircraft, resulting in unanticipated, additional cost. At present, Air Midwest is the sole provider of certificated scheduled air service at Pueblo, Colorado.

Mesa believes that US Department of Transportation action on the request by Pueblo, CO, docketed in OST-2005-21406, to participate in the Codeshare Pilot Program, established by the Vision 100, Section 406 legislation, would serve to greatly stimulate ridership in the Pueblo market and offset much of the above mentioned costs. Unfortunately, the Department has yet to respond to Pueblo's petition and we fear that any relief gained would be mitigated by delays in implementation.

By: Mesa, Mickey Bowman

July 5, 2005

Objection of The City of Pueblo to Termination of Scheduled Air Service by Air Midwest

Air Midwest is the only scheduled air carrier operating to and from Pueblo, Colorado. Termination of all scheduled air service by Air Midwest at Pueblo, Colorado will result in (a) Loss of all scheduled air service to and from Pueblo, Colorado. (b) Injury to the Pueblo Memorial Airport and the public, specifically the people living within Pueblo County, Colorado and surrounding counties who will be denied reasonable access to scheduled air services

By: City of Pueblo, Thomas Jagger, 719-545-4412

Order 2005-8-22
OST-1999-6589

Issued August 29, 2005 | Served September 1, 2005

Order Requesting Proposals - Bookmarked

We request that carriers interested in providing essential air service at Pueblo, Colorado, submit their proposals, with or without subsidy requests, no later than 30 days after the date of service of this order.

The Department prohibits Air Midwest, Inc., from terminating service at Pueblo, Colorado, at the end of its 90-day notice period, and requires it to maintain two nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend to Denver, Colorado, through October 19, 2005, or until a carrier capable of providing reliable essential air service actually begins service, whichever comes first.

By: Karan Bhatia

September 29, 2005

Response of Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines to Order 2005-8-2 Requesting Proposals for Essential Air Service at Pueblo, Colorado - Bookmarked

Big Sky believes that the Pueblo market has not been served well. Big Sky believes that as a result of its marketing initiatives, pricing, scheduling and code sharing agreements, this proposal will result in a dramatic improvement in passenger traffic, as Big Sky has experienced at other EAS points that it serves, and that at the end of the first year of operation the net subsidy per passenger will be less than the statutory maximum.

Big Sky strongly believes that it has the ability to stimulate the market and substantially increase the passenger ridership at Pueblo, as it has at other EAS communities it serves, as a result of its business and marketing plans that includes:

1. EASYFARES
The implementation of EASYFARES, in our other EAS markets, representing a net fare reduction of approximately 30% has resulted in a 60% increase in ridership. Big Sky will offer an unrestricted one-way fare of $35.00 in the Pueblo market. This fare, when combined with fares from Denver to most destinations, results in a total fare that is less than the fare of competing service from Colorado Springs.

2. SCHEDULE
Big Sky’s schedule provides flights at times that make it convenient to use the Pueblo Airport. Big Sky’s flights depart Pueblo at 6:30am and 2:05pm, allowing easy connections, not only to Big Sky’s code share partners, but to virtually every airline serving Denver. In return, Big Sky’s flights depart Denver at 1:05pm and 7:00pm, allowing convenient and well timed connections into Pueblo.

3. CODE-SHARING
Big Sky proposes to offer code-share service with its partners, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, America West Airlines, which became a much larger USAir, after the completion of its merger, and Northwest Airlines. These code-sharing agreements provide single ticketing, through fares and baggage handling service, including the ability to earn frequent flyer credit, to virtually any city in the world through the extensive systems of our partners.

By: Big Sky, Fred deLeeuw, 406-247-3912, fred.deleeuw@bigskyair.com

October 3, 2005

Proposal of Mesa Air, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest to Provide Essential Air Services

Mesa Air Group, Inc d/b/a Air Midwest is pleased to submit one proposals to provide Essential Air Service at Pueblo, Colorado. Mesa’s proposal would continue to provide daily service to Denver.

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. Mesa has a long history of offering Essential Air Service throughout the country, from New Mexico to New York. The service will be served as Mesa Airlines.

Mesa has seen stronger passenger numbers in the past 3 months, with 964 passengers carried between Pueblo and Denver during the July-September period. This is a large increase in passengers from when Mesa initially took over the route from Great Lakes, and we are hopeful that this will continue, and is the reasoning behind the passenger forecast of 4200 annually.

Option 1:
Hub: Denver:
Service: 2 RT: PUB-DEN
Annual Subsidy: $779,980.

By: Mesa Air Group, Mickey Bowman

October 3, 2005

Proposal of Great Lakes Aviation to Provide Essential Air Servcie

In the recent bids for service points in Colorado, Great Lakes bid to provide service to Denver as Great Lakes Airlines, and scheduled the service to connect with our code share partners Frontier and United Airlines, as well as many other airlines serving Denver. Great Lakes will provide service at Pueblo, Colorado marketed as as Great Lakes Airlines to Denver, and with our interline agreements with all the Major airlines, will be able to offer connecting bag service through the Denver Hub. Additionally, Great Lakes Airlines intends on serving Pueblo, Colorado with two daily flights, conveniently timed to originate from our Denver hub in the morning and then again in the afternoon.

All proposals contemplate the use of 19 seat Beech 1900D Airliner equipment.

By: Great Lakes, Nick Wangler, 307-432-7050, nwangler@greatlakesav.com

October 7, 2005

• Re: Request for Comments from City Manger of Pueblo
• Re: Request for Comments from Pueblo Memorial Airport
• Re: Request for Commnets from Colorado DOT

By: EAS Division, Dennis DeVany

November 4, 2005

Comments of City of Pueblo

Our goal is to revitalize our enterprise and continually improve our air traffic productivity. Pueblo City Council's recommendations were influenced by both our community goals and our current essential air service needs. We feel our recommendation is essential to build a stronger aviation future for Pueblo. Thus, we support the following air service:

Great Lakes Aviation - Two daily round trip flights to and from Denver

Our decision to support Great Lakes Aviation was determined by a continual decrease in passenger enplanements through our current provider, Mesa Air Group Inc. Although enplanements have slightly increased in the past few months, the numbers remain below that of previous years. We attribute this decrease to a lack of essential code-share agreements with major airlines servicing the hub airport in Denver. Great Lakes Aviation has code-share agreements with both United and Frontier Airlines, which we believe will contribute to the growth of passenger service in Pueblo.

By: Robert Schilling

Order 2005-11-16
OST-1999-6589

Issued November 22, 2005 | Served November 28, 2005

Order Selecting Carrier and Setting Final Subsidy Rate

The Department selects Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., to provide essential air service at Pueblo, Colorado, as described in Appendix C, for the period beginning on the date the carrier inaugurates service through January 31, 2008.

The Department sets the final subsidy rate for Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., for the provision of essential air service at Pueblo, Colorado, as described in Appendix C, to be payable as follows: for each calendar month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceiling set forth in Appendix C and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights completed during the month to Denver by $639.64.

Appendix C:

By: Michael Reynolds

October 13, 2006

Comments of City of Pueblo in Response to NY Times Article

The City of Pueblo, including those citizens who have worked diligently to improve the Essential Air Service program at Pueblo Memorial Airport, feel obligated to respond to the October 6, 2006 article published by the NY Times.

The biased review included many talking points from people obviously critical of the program. I was personally interviewed for 30 minutes and spoke highly of the program and of the direct and indirect benefits such air service brings to the community. NY Times writer Jeff Bailey listened intently as I explained how the City, County, and the citizens of Pueblo rallied behind our recent marketing efforts to almost triple ridership from one year ago. We talked about the economic impact this program brings to outlying communities such as Pueblo, and how influential it is to companies seeking to relocate or establish. That said, it was made perfectly clear to the reporter that this program is essential to the continued growth of the greater Pueblo community.

It Is the City's position that the EAS Program has fostered growth and economic development within the community. Any such loss or decrease in the level of service would be a great detriment and disadvantage to the traveling public. We are on the grow, and our numbers prove it. But any reader of this particular article would think we are a "money-pit", bilking the taxpayer of hundreds of thousands of dollars to no benefit of the community. As you know, both the direct and indirect impacts of air service are far greater than the subsidy cost alone.

By: Jerry Brienza, 719-553-2760

Order 2007-9-2
OST-1999-6589

Issued September 4, 2007 | Served September 7, 2007

Order Requesting Proposals

As the end of the current rate term approaches, we are here requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing service at Pueblo, with or without subsidy, for the two-year period beginning February 1, 2008. Carriers should file their proposals no later than October 4, 2007. Shortly after that date, our staff will docket the proposals, thereby making them public, and direct each carrier to serve a copy of its proposal on the civic parties and other applicants. Shortly afterwards, we will provide a summary of the proposals to the community officials and ask them to submit their final comments. We will give full consideration to all proposals that are timely filed.

Great Lakes has served Pueblo for several years. During the year ended June 30, 2007, the most recent 12-month period for which traffic data are available, Pueblo averaged 11.9 enplanements a day.

By: Todd Harmon

October 4, 2007

Proposals of Great Lakes Aviation

Great Lakes proposes non‑stop, conveniently timed connecting services with our code share partners, United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, at our Denver hub. Our code share arrangements will offer the Pueblo community the greatest competitive oppourtunity available in the Rocky Mountain Region.. In addition, Great Lakes maintains interline ticketing and baggage agreements with the majority of the other carriers serving Denver International Airport. These relationships will afford air travelers to and from Pueblo enhanced flexibility and numerous options to reach their final destinations. The proposal contemplates the use of pressurized 19 seat Beech 1900D aircraft, which the Company has had a long history of operating.

Proposal #	Service Point(s)	Hub Served	Round Trips	Equipment	Subsidy Requirement	Passengers Forecast	Average Fare
1	Pueblo, CO	Denver	2	1900D	$1,007,982	7500	$69.72
2	Pueblo, CO	Denver	2	1900D	$1,057,128	8500	$69.72
3	Pueblo, CO	Denver	3	1900D	$1,405,502	14,000	$67.02

By: Great Lakes, Michael Matthews, 307-432-7030, mmatthews@greatlakesav.com

October 5, 2007

Re: Letter from EAS Division to Pueblo's Director of Public Works & Aviation

Re: Letter from EAS Division to Pueblo's City Manager

Great Lakes' proposal offers three options, each for a two‑year period. The first option is two nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend to Denver, under the current schedule for an annual subsidy of $1,007,982. The second option is two nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend to Denver, with an aircraft remaining overnight in Pueblo, for an annual subsidy of $1,057,128. The third option is three nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend to Denver, including an overnight in Pueblo, for an annual subsidy of $1,405,502, We are currently reviewing Great Lakes' compensation requirements.

We request that you review Great Lakes' proposal and submit any comments you may have before we submit a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary. We ask that you submit any comments you may have as soon as possible, but in any case no later than November 2, 2007.

By: Dennis DeVany

October 22, 2007

Re: Board of Pueblo County Commissioners in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

We believe that Proposal No. 3, which adds a third flight to/from Pueblo, would best serve the community. An overnight aircraft is required in order to get the public to Denver to make convenient connections. It is also advantageous to have a late night return flight to Pueblo. Pueblo has historically sought to improve air service throughout the years. It is our ultimate goal to secure an airline on a permanent basis, and by providing us with a good schedule, we believe that we have the numbers that will encourage an airline to negotiate with us on a long-term basis.

By: Pueblo Board

October 24, 2007

Re: City of Pueblo Airport Advisory Committee in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

Great Lakes has submitted three proposals. Proposal No. 3 would be the most ideal for business travelers in Pueblo. It would provide three round‑trip flights per business day, with an early‑morning flight to Denver and a late‑evening flight to Pueblo, where Great Lakes would overnight one of its Beech 19 aircraft.

Current service often is not conducive for business flyers, due to the times flights are scheduled. But history has shown that Pueblo business people will use flights out of Pueblo Memorial Airport when they allow connections to other flights across the country.

Great Lakes forecasts 14,000 passengers annually through this proposal. I and my business colleagues believe that number could be even higher.

By: Chuck Campbell

October 22, 2007

Re: Pueblo City Council in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

Our decision to support the third flight option was determined by a continued increase in passenger enplanements attributed to the aggressive marketing campaign that is on-going. Despite having a less than desirable airline schedule, our community efforts have increased airline passenger service from 1417 enplanements in 2005 to 3484 in 2006, that is a 150% increase which we were able to sustain in 2007. Our 2007 enplanememts are expected to be slightly higher than those of 2006, estimated at appoimately 3600.

Current comercial air service ofien is not conducive for the business traveler due to the current operating schedules. However, history has shown that Pueblo business people will use flights out of Pueblo Memorial Airport when they permit connections to other flights across the country.

By: President, Judy Weaver, 719-553-2655

October 22, 2007

Re: Greater Pueblo Chamber in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

We have carefully reviewed the proposals and recommend that the US Department of Transportation seriously consider Proposal No. 3. We sincerely believe that the community will respond positively to the additional air service as evidenced in the increased ridership since 2005 with a less than desirable airline schedule.

It is absolutely critical to the community that commercial air service is sustained. Pueblo's population is on the rise and the demand for good air service is increasing. It is apparent to us that an early morning departure and a late arrival is something that should be considered.

By: GPCC, Rod Slyhoff, 719-542-1624

October 22, 2007

Re: Pueblo Economic Development Corporation - Third Flight by Great Lakes Highly Desirable

The existing commercial air service schedule has not been adequate to meet the needs of the community. After reviewing the proposals submitted by Great Lakes Aviation, it is our opinion that a third flight is highly desirable. Additionally, further consideration should be given for a more accommodating airline schedule. We have received plenty of feedback from local businesses that would indicate an increased use of the airport by local travelers if the schedule were favorable.

By: James Spaecamonti

October 31, 2007

Wells Fargo in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

As a banker here in Pueblo, Colorado, I know how vital air service is to the well being of this community. Air service that provides connections between Pueblo Memorial Airport and Denver International Airport for business travels going from and coming to Pueblo is especially vital.

That is why I am urging approval of Proposal No. 3 submitted recently by Great Lakes Aviation LTD. Current service has two flights that are not handy for business travelers trying to make connections out of or from DIA. Proposal No. 3 would feature an early morning flight out of Pueblo and a late evening flight back to Pueblo.

By: President, Priscilla Lucero

November 1, 2007

Comments of Southern Colorado Economic Development District

As the Executive Director for the District, I understand that the airport is a vital instrument for maintaining and attracting new business to the Greater Pueblo Area. Having commercial air service in Pueblo is a tremendous advantage to our economic development efforts in the Southern Colorado Region.

However, the existing commercial air service schedule has not been adequate to meet the needs of the business community. The addition of a third roundtrip flight would benefit the residents of Southern Colorado immensely. We respectfully ask that serious consideration be given for a more accommodating airline schedule.

We strongly urge the US-DOT to give the Pueblo community the valuable and desirable airline schedule it requires for continued growth.

By: SCEDD, Allison Cortner, 719-545-8680, allison@scedd.com

November 1, 2007

Letter of US Bank in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

By: District Manager, Alice Birch, 719-549-1115

November 2, 2007

Pueblo Chieftan in Support of Great Lakes Option 3

I am the publisher of The Pueblo Chieftain who fully suppoitfcs passenger air service for this community. As a matter of fact, the city and county governments have been funding a Fly Pueblo advertising campaign which has greatly increased boardings of Great Lakes-Aviation LTD flights to Denver International Airport.

Now Great Lakes Aviation LTD has submitted three proposals for extending its Essential Air Service to Pueblo. I fully support Proposal No. 3. This schedule would provide business travelers better connections to points both east and west out of Denver International Airport.

By: R.H. Rawlings, 719-544-3520

Order 2007-11-10
OST-1999-6589

Issued and Served November 15, 2007

Order Selecting Carrier | Word

By this order, the Department is selecting Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd. to provide subsidized essential air service at Pueblo, Colorado, at an annual subsidy rate of $1,057,128, for two years, beginning February 1, 2008.

By: Michael Reynolds

February 5, 2008

Re: Weekly Compensation Ceiling Payout Clarification

Great Lakes is currently unable to serve Pueblo under the authorized service pattern. It plans to inaugurate the originating flight, but it will be several months from now and there is no firm date when it will occur. In order to compensate Great Lakes appropriately for the service provided, a revised weekly ceiling and subsidy-per-flight calculation page is included with this memo.

Further, when Great Lakes inaugurates an originating flight at Pueblo, as Order 2007-11-10 specifies, it will be its responsibility to notify the Department in advance of the start date of the flight, in order to have time to notify the proper personnel of the change in subsidy per flight and weekly ceiling compensation. The revised subsidy per flight compensation is $828.25 per flight, and the revised weekly ceiling compensation ceiling is $19,878.00.

By: Dennis DeVany

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