OST-03-14333

OST-03-14333

Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts

OST-03-14333	January 22, 2003	Notice of Allegheny and Request for Exemption to Terminate Service	90-Day Notice to Terminate - Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts
		Service List

Allegheny currently operates three (3) daily roundtrip flights between Worcester, Massachusetts, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, using Dash-8 aircraft. By DOT Order 98-11-22, the Department redefined Worcester's EAS service determination as a minimum of two roundtrips a day to any medium or large hub, with at least 67 seats in each direction.

Allegheny seeks to terminate its services at Worcester on February 8, 2003. There would be no remaining scheduled service at Worcester after Allegheny eliminates its services. Worcester is within 70 miles of four other airports offering extensive scheduled service, including Boston (Logan), Hartford, Providence, and Manchester (NH) - each of which offers service by low-cost carvers such as Southwest and/or AirTran.

Counsel: O'Melveny Myers, Joel Burton, 202 383-5300

Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts / Allegheny Airlines

OST-03-14333

February 3, 2003

Re: Letter from City of Worcester

Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts / Allegheny Airlines

While we are deeply distressed at the loss of this service, we recognize the current economic situation resulting in the termination of services provided by of - carriers at Worcester and other airports nationwide, the current state of the aviation industry resulting in losses of billions of dollars per year, and the particular financial difficulties of US Airways which is currently in Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Based o these circumstances, we believe that it is in the community's best interest to support the financial viability of US Airways, and therefore, we do not object to US Airways Express' request to terminate its service and to do so without the requisite 90 days prior notice.

By: Thomas Hoover, City Manager

Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts / Allegheny Airlines

Order 03-02-6
OST-03-14333

Issued February 6, 2003
Served February 11, 2003

Order Allowing Suspension of Service and Granting Exemption Request

Essential Air Service at Worcester, Massachusetts / Allegheny Airlines

We will allow Allegheny to suspend service at Worcester as of February 23, since the community is amenable to Allegheny's early suspension of service on that date. We could not require Allegheny to maintain service at Worcester beyond the end of the 90-day notice per.od in any event. We are statutorily prohibited from paying subsidy to support essential air service at communities that do not meet certain eligibility criteria, including communities located within 70 highway miles of a large or medium hub.

By: Read C. Van de Water