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http://www.masoncity.net/departments/Airport%20Commission/index.php?dept=Airport%20Commission - Mason City Municipal Airport

Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Mesaba Airlines

No other carrier is currently serving Mason City. After Mesaba terminates service, Mason City will be left with no service.

Counsel:  Mesaba Airlines, John Fredericksen, 612.726.5151

On September 17, 2001, Mesaba filed separate 90-day notices of its intent to suspend its unsubsidized scheduled air service at Thief River Falls and Watertown, effective on January 1, 2002. Subsequently, on September 21, 2001, Mesaba filed 90-day notices to suspend service at Fort Dodge and Mason City, both also with an effective date of January 1, 2002. In addition, on September 21, 2001, Express I filed a 90-day notice of its intent to suspend unsubsidized scheduled air service at Laurel/Hattiesburg, again with an effective date of January 1, 2002. Mesaba is the only carrier serving Fort Dodge, Mason City, Watertown and Thief River Falls; Express I is the only carrier serving Laurel/Hattiesburg. Specific details about the service at each community are provided below. In addition, Appendix B provides a summary of the historical passenger traffic based on a 10% sample of all ticketed passengers who flew in and out of each community.

By:  Read Van de Water

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Great Lakes Aviation

By:  Great Lakes Aviation

In response to the Department's Order 2001-12-26, Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Mesaba Airlines (Mesaba), submits proposals to provide essential air service, with subsidies, at the above-captioned points. Mesaba has been prohibited from terminating unsubsidized service at these points by Order 2001­12-26. Mesaba's service proposals, requests for subsidies and related information are set forth in the attached exhibits. As indicated, Mesaba proposes to provide subsidized service as follows (a) Fort Dodge-Mason City-Minneapolis/St. Paul; (b) Mason City-Minneapolis/St. Paul; (c) Watertown­ Minneapolis/St. Paul; and (d) Thief River Falls-Bemidji/Grand Forks- Minneapolis/St. Paul. Mesaba will provide the service as "Northwest Airlink" service.

By:  Mesaba Aviation, Robert Weil

By:  Corporate Airlines

On September 17, 2001, Mesaba Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Mesaba Airlines (Mesaba), filed 90-day notices of its intent to suspend its subsidy-free service at Thief River Falls, Minnesota and Watertown, South Dakota, effective January 1, 2002. Subsequently, on September 21, 2001, Mesaba filed 90-day notices to suspend service at Fort Dodge and Mason City, Iowa, also effective January 1, 2002. By Order 2001-12-26, December 31, 2001, the Department prohibited Mesaba from suspending service beyond the end of its 90-day notice period, through January 31, 2002, and requested proposals, with subsidy if necessary, from carriers interested in providing replacement service.

Although we have received proposals from Corporate Airlines, Great Lakes Aviation and Mesaba, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

Although we have received proposals from Corporate Airlines, Great Lakes Aviation and Mesaba, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41,734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed abov0i for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

On September 17, 2001, Mesaba Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Mesaba Airlines (Mesaba), filed 90-day notices of its intent to suspend its subsidy-free service at Thief River Falls, Minnesota, and Watertown, South Dakota, effective January l, 2002. Subsequently, on September 21, 2001, Mesaba filed 90-day notices to suspend service at Fort Dodge and Mason City, Iowa, also effective January 1, 2002. By Order 2001-12-26, December 31, 2001, the Department prohibited Mesaba from suspending either service beyond the end of its 90-day notice period, through January 31, 2002, and requested proposals, with subsidy if necessary, from carriers interested in providing replacement service. As required by 49 U.S.C. 41734, we have extended Mesaba's service obligation for additional 30-day periods, the latest through May 3, 2002, by Order 2002-4-2.

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Randall Bennett

By:  Read Van de Water

By this order we are setting short-term final subsidy rates for Express Airlines I at Muscle Shoals and for Mesaba Airlines, Inc., both operating as Northwest Airlink, at Fort Dodge, Mason City, Thief River Falls, and Watertown for "hold-in" essential air service (EAS) until further Department action.

By:  Randall Bennett

Although we have received proposals from Corporate Airlines, Great Lakes Aviation and Mesaba, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals; however, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals; however, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By: Randall Bennett

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By: Fred Breeden

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By: Read Van de Water

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba’s hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba’s service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba's hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba's service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By:  Randall Bennett

OST-01-10682 - Termination of EAS Service at Mason City, IA
OST-01-10684 - Termination of EAS Service at Fort Dodge, IA

April 18, 2003

E-Mail from Greg Voss, Chairman of Great Lakes Aviation

Because of the Open nature of the Nebraska EAS cases multistop bids for Grand Island are tied to the Norfolk, McCook and Kearney cases we are looking for your guidance on what the next steps are. In our discussions with Greyhound we have had brief talks about Central Nebraska points to Omaha. I'm not sure if now is the time to bring up Bus service to Omaha but Norfolk might be a example of a good test case. Also we need input from you as how to proceed with the Grand Island & Norfolk bid to MSP that was previously provided to you.

Attached you will find Grand Island nonstop proposals including a 30 seat Brasilia proposal that the community has said they would provide marketing support for including a possible revenue guaranty.

By: Great Lakes, Greg Voss

Order 03-04-12
OST-01-10642 - Theif River Falls, MN
OST-01-10644 - Watertown, SD
OST-01-10682 - Mason City, IA
OST-01-10684 - Fort Dodge, IA

Issued April 30, 2003 | Served May 5, 2003

Order Extending Service Obligation | Word

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba’s hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba’s service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By: Randall Bennett

Order 03-04-23
OST-01-10642 - Thief River Falls, MN
OST-01-10644 - Watertown, SD
OST-01-10682 - Mason City, IA
OST-01-10684 - Fort Dodge, IA

Issued April 30, 2003 | Served May 5, 2003

Order Extending Service Obligation | Word

By Order 2002-7-38, July 30, 2002, the Department set short-term final subsidy rates for Mesaba’s hold-in service until further Department action. In addition to Mesaba, Corporate Airlines and Great Lakes Aviation have also submitted proposals, and we are in the process of preparing a final decision. However, these cases will not be completed before the end of the current 30-day hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Mesaba’s service obligation at the four communities listed above for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.

By: Randall Bennett

Order 03-5-6
OST-01-10682 - Mason City, IA
OST-01-10684 - Fort Dodge, IA

Issued May 6, 2003 | Served May 9, 2003

Order Selecting Carrier | Word

Order 2003-5-6, the Department selects Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Northwest Link an affiliate of Northwest Airlines, to provide subsidized essential air service (EAS) for a two-year period at Mason City and Fort Dodge, Iowa, at a combined annual rate of $2,176,708. We have decided to select Mesaba to provide subsidized EAS at Fort Dodge and Mason City for the two-year period beginning on the first day of the month following the service date of this order. Mesaba has served both Mason City and Fort Dodge for many years on a subsidy-free basis. However, a combination of factors affecting the entire airline industry has resulted in decreased passenger revenues and, at the same time, increased operating expenses resulted in this formerly profitable route becoming unprofitable. Mesaba continues to provide both communities with a reasonable pattern of service to Northwest Airline’s connecting hub at Minneapolis.

By: Read C. Van de Water

April 22, 2003

Correspondence of Mason City Airport Commission

I appreciated the opportunity to speak with you and Tern Bingham regarding the importance of the Essential Air Service and Small Community Air Service Pilot Development Programs. As I indicated Mesaba was reluctant to fmalize a service agreement for an additional flight until a two-year EAS agreement contract is in place for Mason City. I will be in contact with Mesaba officials once I hear the two-year EAS program has been approved to negotiate additional service for Mason City. We also appreciate the fact that Mesaba has agreed to continue providing service at the same "hold-in" rate of $2,176,708 established by Order 2002-7-38 for Mason City and Fort Dodge.

By: Pamela Osgood

April 21, 2003

Correspondence of Essential Air Service Division to Pamela Osgood

I would like to update you on the essential air service situation at Mason City and to give you an opportunity to submit any final comments if you wish before the Department issues a final order setting service and subsidy levels going forward for a two‑year period. My purpose in writing to you now is to also advise you that Great Lakes Aviation has recently withdrawn its proposal to serve Mason City leaving the proposal submitted by your current air service provider, Mesaba Aviation, dlb/a Northwest Airlink, as the only remaining available option. (As you know, Corporate Airlines withdrew its proposal last Fall.) We are also aware that Mason City is the recipient of a grant under the Small Community Air Service Pilot Development Program, also administered by the Department, and that the community is working to negotiate additional service from Mesaba when the carrier selection process is complete. We appreciate that Mesaba is reluctant to finalize that service agreement until a two‑year EAS contract for Mason City is in place.

By: Dennis Devany

April 21, 2003

Correspondence of Essential Air Service Division to the Honorable Jean Marinos

By: Dennis Devany

Order 2005-3-26
OST-2001-10684 - Fort Dodge, Iowa
OST-2001-10682 - Mason City, Iowa
OST-2001-10642 - Thief River Falls, Minnesota

Issued ??? and Served ??? / March 21, 2005

Order Requesting Proposals | Word

Fort Dodge, Mason City and Thief River Falls were served without subsidy support until just after 9/11, when Mesaba Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Northwest Airlink, an affiliate of Northwest Airlines, filed 90-day notices of intent to suspend service at all three communities.  In response to those 90-day notices, the Department issued Order 2001-12-26 prohibiting Mesaba from suspending service and requesting proposals for replacement service.  At Fort Dodge and Mason City, the Department issued Order 2003-5-6, May 6, 2003, selecting Mesaba to provide three round trips on weekdays and weekends to Minneapolis routed Fort Dodge-Mason City-Minneapolis-Mason City-Fort Dodge with 34-seat, Saab 340 turboprop equipment, for an annual subsidy of $2,176,708.  At Thief River Falls, the Department issued Order 2003-5-21, May 20, 2003, selecting Mesaba to provide two nonstop round trips on weekdays and weekends to Minneapolis with 34-seat, Saab 340 turboprop equipment, for an annual subsidy of $707,017.

By: Karan Bhatia

OST-2001-10684 - Fort Dodge, Iowa
OST-2001-10682 - Mason City, Iowa
OST-2001-10642 - Thief River Falls, Minnesota

April 22, 2005

Re: Proposal of Mesa Air Group d/b/a Air Midwest - Fort Dodge and Mason City, IA Only

The proposal with service to Chicago Midway, Option 1, is contingent upon Mesa being awarded the contract for service to Chicago Midway as part of the 7 city bid package for Owensboro, Kirksville, Burlington, Marion/Herrin, Cape Girardeau, Jackson, and Ft Leonard Wood. Mesa's Option 2 is not a contingent bid.

All operations proposed would utilize our modem fleet of Beecheraft 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. Mesa will explore all opportunities for codeshares at Chicago Midway or Omaha, but feels that operating as Mesa Airlines, with our commitment to low fares and quality customer service, will provide each community with superior service. Mesa believes that the introduction of Chicago Midway service, with access to one of the largest low fare hubs, will allow service to the economic heart of the Midwest, as well as connections to the entire country.

By: Mesa, Mickey Bowman

April 22, 2005

Re: Proposal of Mesaba Aviation d/b/a Northwest Airlink

In response to the Department's Order 2005-3-26, Mesaba Aviation, Inc., doing business as Northwest Airlink, is enclosing its detailed subsidy proposal for continued essential air service at Fort Dodge, IA and Mason City, IA at a level of three roundtrip flights per day, using 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft. Also enclosed is a detailed subsidy proposal for Thief River Falls, MN at a level of two roundtrip flights per day, using 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft.

By: Mesaba, John Spanjers

May 3, 2005

Letter of Update and Request for Comments

Mesaba, a ,wholly owned, code‑share partner of Northwest Airlines operating as Northwest Airlink, has proposed to continue its current service to Minneapolis for an annual subsidy of $2,400,856. As you know, that service consists of three nonstop round trips each weekday and five nonstop round trips each weekend using 34‑seat Saab‑340 turboprop aircraft over a Fort Dodge ‑ Mason City ‑ Minneapolis ‑ Mason City ‑ Fort Dodge routing.

By: Dennis DeVany

May 9, 2005

Comments of Mason City Chamber of Commerce

Mesaba Airlines provides a 34‑seat Saab 340 turboprop aircraft that is a good fit for our scope of service needs. The passengers who utilize MCW have grown accustomed to the comfort this aircraft provides and would be discouraged if it were to be replaced by a smaller aircraft. Mesa Airlines' use of 19‑seaters would threaten our ability to maintain the required 10,000 enplanement level which in turn endangers the million dollars the airport currently receives in federal airport improvement funding each year if the fleet is reduced to the 19 seat aircraft.

Northwest/Mesaba have offered reliable, on‑time service at MCW for the past several years. In return, North Iowans have maintained load factors much higher than the industry average. On behalf of the Mason City Chamber of Commerce and its 640 member businesses, we support the Northwest/Mesaba proposal and encourage you to award them the two‑year EAS contract.

By: Robin Anderson, Director

May 9, 2005

Comments of Mason City Convention & Visitors Bureau

After reviewing the EAS proposals that your office has received relating to service to/from MCW, we believe that the proposal submitted by Northwest and Mesaba Airlines is clearly the one that best fits the needs of our community. This proposal offers twice as many available seats each week to the flying public and a total of 35,000 more seats each year. MCW alone nearly has as many annual enplanements (30,000 plus) as the Mesa Airlines proposal is offering in total annual seats. This is a very important aspect to consider as Mason City and the surrounding communities continue to grow and the number of passengers flying from MCW continues to increase as well.

By: Sue Armour, Director

May 9, 2005

Re: Comments of State Representative Linda Upmeyer - Same Text as Mason City Airport

May 9, 2005

Re: Comments of Mason City Airport Commission

After reviewing the EAS proposals, I believe along with the Airport Commission, community officials and the business leaders that the proposal submitted by Northwest/Mesaba Airlines is clearly the one that best fits the needs of our community. This proposal offers twice as many available seats each week to the flying public and a total of 35,000 more seats each year. MCW alone nearly has as many annual enplanements/deplanements (30,000 plus) as the Mesa Airlines proposal is offering in total annual seats. This is a very important aspect to consider as Mason City and the surrounding communities continue to grow and the number of passengers flying from MCW continues to increase as well.

Mesaba airlines provides a 34‑seat Saab 340 turboprop aircraft that is a good fit for our scope of service needs. The passengers who utilize MCW have grown accustomed to the comfort that this aircraft provides and would be discouraged if it were to be replaced by a smaller aircraft. There is also concern about dropping below the required 10,000 enpianement level which would endanger the $1 million dollars the airport currently receives in federal airport improvement funding each year if the fleet is reduced to the 19 seat aircraft.

By: Pamela Osgood, Airport Manager

• Letter in Support for Mesaba from Allied Purchasing
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from Clear Lake Bank & Trust
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from MBT Bank
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from MCW Commission
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from Pella Entry Systems
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from State Representative Amanda Ragan
• Letter in Support for Mesaba from State Representative Bill Schickel

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