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OST-2003-14783 |
Plattsburgh International Airport
Essential Air Service at Plattsburgh, New York
| OST-2003-14783 | March 21, 2003 | 90-Day Notice of Champlain Enterprises d/b/a CommutAir d/b/a Continental Connection to Terminate Service | Essential Air Service at Plattsburgh, New York / Champlain Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a CommutAir |
CommutAir makes this notice of its intention to terminate further services at Plattsburgh, NY under the present circumstances. That is, CommutAir can no longer provide essential air service to this eligible point without the benefit of compensation from federal funds for that purpose. CommutAir regrets the necessity of this step and would be pleased to continue this vital service to the community of which it has been part of for so long is it can gain access to the compensation it so clearly deserves.
CommutAir presently operates four one-stop flights between Plattsburgh, NY and Albany, NY each weekday and three one-stop flights over each weekend with Beechcraft 1900D turboprop aircraft. See Attachment 1 for flight frequency and time. Since no other airline currently serves Plattsburgh, NY, CommutAir's termination of service at Plattsburgh would eliminate all sir service at Plattsburgh thus bringing the level of service below the specified level established by the department. Pursuant to 14 CFR 323.10(a)(3), objections to this notice is due by April 11, 2003.
By: CommutAir, Joel Raymond
Order 03-5-22
OST-03-14783 - Plattsburgh, New York
OST-00-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
Issued May 21, 2003 | Served May 27, 2003
Order Prohibiting Termination of Service and Requesting Proposals | Word
The Department (1) prohibits CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection (CommutAir) from terminating its unsubsidized scheduled air service at Plattsburgh, New York, (2) requires the carrier to maintain its current service at the community for an initial 30-day period following the end of the notice period; and, (3) requests proposals from carriers interested in providing replacement service at Plattsburgh and also at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York.
We request that any carriers interested in providing essential air service at Plattsburgh and/or Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, file their proposals within 20 days of the service date of this order. We ask that carriers submit proposals consisting of two or three round trips each weekday and each weekend period to Albany with 15-seat or larger aircraft. We particularly encourage carriers to submit proposals that combine service for both communities into one route. We will also entertain proposals to other hubs that provide access to the national air transportation system in order to give the Department and community as broad an array of proposals as possible from which to choose. Of course, as always, we will formally solicit the community's views on any service options we receive before making a long-term carrier selection decision. To assist carriers in making their traffic and revenue forecasts, we have included historical traffic data in Appendix A.
Questions regarding filings in response to this order may be directed to John McCamant at (202) 366-1060.
By: Read C. Van de Water
Order 03-7-42
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued July 31, 2003 | Served August 5, 2003
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
Order 2003-7-42, the Department extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection (CommutAir), Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through August 29, 2003.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 03-8-1
OST-00-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued and Served August 4, 2003
Order 2003-8-1, the Department sets final subsidy rates, retroactive to October 1, 2001, for Champlain Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a CommutAir, for its provision of essential air service (EAS) for Saranac Lake/Lake Placed, and from June 22, 2003, for both Saranac Lake/Lake Placid and Plattsburgh, until further Department action.
CommutAir is entitled to be compensated for its service at Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh effective June 22, 2003. The carrier and staff have agreed to final annual subsidy rate of $1,442,396 for the two communities combined, effective June 22, 2003, until further Department action. The rate is based on three nonstop round trips per day between Saranac Lake and Albany and three one-stop round trips per day in the Plattsburgh-Albany market, all with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft. We will compensate CommutAir for its forced service at these two communities at $1,442,396 until we conclude the long-term selection proceeding and select a replacement carrier, either CommutAir or another carrier, and the service is fully in place.
By: Michael Reynolds
Order 03-8-13
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued August 13, 2003 | Served August 18, 2003
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of this holdin period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir's service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 03-9-24
OST-03-14783
Issued September 29, 2003 | Served October 2, 2003
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
On June 22, 2003, CommutAir became eligible for compensation for its forced service. By Order 2003-8-1, August 4, 2003, the Department set an annual subsidy rate of $1,442,396, for three (3) nonstop or one-stop round trips per day between Plattsburgh and Albany with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft. Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of this holdin period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir's service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 03-10-15
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued October 15, 2003 | Served October 20, 2003
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of this hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir’s service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
OST-00-8025 - EAS at Saranac/Lake Placid, NY
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
October 24, 2003
Correspondence of Office of Aviation Analysis
Correspondence from Dennis Devany, Chief EAS and Domestic Analysis Division to Ronale Taylor of the same Division asking her to compensate CommutAir for the Boston service at the same payout rate as Albany, since both communities support the Boston service and it will not result in increased subsidy
By: Dennis DeVany
Order 03-11-27
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued November 26, 2003 | Served December 2, 2003
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir’s service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 03-12-25
OST-03-14783
Issued December 29, 2003 | Served January 2, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current
hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend
CommutAir’s service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable
replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-1-17
OST-03-14783
Issued January 23, 2004 | Served February 3, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current hold‑in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir's service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-2-18
OST-03-14783
Issued February 18, 2004 | Served February 23, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir’s service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-3-22
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued March 23, 2004 | Served March 26, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection (CommutAir), at Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through April 28,2004. Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir' s service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-04-19
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued April 22, 2004 | Served April 27, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection, at Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through May 28, 2004.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-05-17
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued May 21, 2004 | Served May 26, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection, at Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through June 28, 2004.
By: Randall Bennett
OST-00-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
June 4, 2004
Mesa Air Group, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest is pleased to submit a proposal to provide Essential Air Service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake, New York Service patterns include a variety of options for both Albany and Boston; see below for summary. All flights will be operated with a pressurized turboprop Beech 1900D aircraft with 19 seats. Historically aggressive local pricing, and we have recently initiated zero add-on connecting fares with US Airways which may help these two markets stem leakage from Southwest and Jet Blue.
All options would be operated with a US Airways code share, which is transforming themselves into a low‑cost carrier. In addition, out of both proposed hubs they provide non‑stop service to LaGuardia, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C ‑ top O&D destinations currently not served by Continental.
In Boston alone, US Airways has three times more non‑stop destinations than Continent‑at (e.g. 19 daily flights to Washington, D.C). Of note, our proposed schedule in Option 6 is designed to enable ‑ for the first time ‑ the local business traveler to fly in and out of Boston with convenient same-day service.
By: Scott Lyon
June 7, 2004
Re: Revised Proposal of CommutAir
By: CommutAir
June 10, 2004
Re: Request for Comments from The Honorable Dan Stewart
CommutAir operating as a Continental Connection codeshare carrier, proposes to provide Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid with one round trip to Boston and two round trips to Albany each weekday, and two round trips to Boston and one round trip to Albany over each weekend. The carrier requests an annual subsidy of $1,507,928 for this service that would be operated with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft.
Air Midwest operating as a US Airways codeshare carrier, proposes six service options, all of which would be operated with 19-seat Beech 1900D aircraft.
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: Dennis DeVany
Order 04-06-18
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued June 23, 2004 | Served June 28, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection, at Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through July 28, 2004.
By: Karan Bhatia
Order 04-07-14
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued July 20, 2004 | Served July 23, 2004
Order Extending Service Obligation | Word
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of CommutAir, Inc., d/b/a Continental Connection, at Plattsburgh, New York, for an additional 30 days, through August 27, 2004. Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed by the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir's service obligation at Plattsburgh, for an additional 30 days, or until reliable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Randall Bennett
Order 04-08-17
OST-00-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-03-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued August 16, 2004 | Served August 19, 2004
Order Selecting Carrier and Setting Subsidy Rate | Word
By this order, the Department is (a) selecting CommutAir to provide essential air service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, for a two-year period, and (b) establishing an annual subsidy rate of $1,507,928 for service consisting of one round trip to Boston and two round trips to Albany each weekday, and two round trips to Boston and one round trip to Albany each weekend period. Service is to be provided with 19-seat Beech 1900-D aircraft.
CommutAir is requesting $1.5 million for service consisting of two round trips to Albany and one round trip to Boston each weekday. Air Midwest's option offering comparable service (Option 5) would require an annual subsidy of $2.4 million, or $1.8 million more than CommutAir over the two‑year life of the contract. The only Air Midwest option comparable in cost to that of CommutAir is Option 1 offering only two round trips a day to Albany, and even that option requires about $170,000 more subsidy for each of two years. Both carriers have considerable experience operating scheduled air service in the Northeast region and both operate the same type aircraft‑‑a pressurized 19‑seat Beech 1900‑D. Even if our decision would be between options of comparable price, we would nevertheless still select CommutAir's proposal because it offers three daily round trips (one to a major hub) versus two for Air Midwest's Option 1, and it has strong community support. In addition, CommutAir has the advantage of having its code‑share arrangements with Continental Airlines already in place for its current service at the communities, while Air Midwest does not. CommutAir's proposal is clearly superior to all of the options offered by Air Midwest.
By: Karan Bhatia
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
November 9, 2004
Corrected Appendix A for Order 2004-8-17
Memorandum of Dennis DeVany, Chief of the EAS & Domestic analysis Division submitting a corrected Appendix A for Order 2004-8-17.
By: Dennis DeVany
Order 2006-4-20
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued April 24, 2006 | Served April 27, 2006
By this order, the Department is requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, for a new two-year period, beginning September 1, 2006, with or without subsidy.
With specific respect to Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, we expect proposals consisting of service with 19-passenger aircraft and offering three round trips a day to Boston and/or Albany or two round trips a day with larger aircraft. Such service is generally consistent with what the communities currently receive, and fully satisfies their essential air service requirements. 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.
Interested carriers should also note that Plattsburgh Air Force Base is being redeveloped into Plattsburgh International Airport. Construction of a major new passenger terminal at Plattsburgh International Airport is expected to be completed in late Spring/Summer 2007. The Clinton County Airport, where EAS is now provided, will close after construction is complete and certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration have been obtained.
By: Todd Homan
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake
May 24, 2006
Proposal of CommutAir d/b/a Continental Connection
CommutAir respectfully submits the following proposal to continue providing Essential Air Service at both Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake, NY for an additional two year period beginning September 1, 2006. The service outlined in our proposal is to provide three round trips (one‑stop/non‑stop) fights to Boston, MA each weekday and three round trip flights over each weekend. All flight will be operated with a Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. The subsidy requested in our proposal is $1,706,755 annually.
By: Joel Raymond
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake
May 31, 2006
DOT Letter Requesting Community Comments of:
In anticipation of the end of CommutAir’s current contract on August 31, 2006, the Department issued Order 2006-4-20 on April 24, 2006, to solicit proposals from all interested air carriers to provide EAS at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid for a new, two-year term. In response to that order, ComutAir, the incumbent, was the only carrier to submit a proposal.
We request that you review CommutAir’s 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 June 23, 2006.
By: Dennis DeVany
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
June 7, 2006
Comments of Plattsburgh International Airport
By: Airport Manager, Ralph Hensel
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
June 29, 2006
Email Message - Adk Airport Frustration with CommutAir Service
It is unfortunate that CommutAir is again the only bidder on providing commercial service to SLK. As airport manager I am glad that we will have commercial air service for that segment of the population that can afford to use it but this carrier has not responded to community concerns in the past and are not expected to do so in the future.
Besides being prohibitively expensive for the average business and recreational traveler, as confirmed by a NYS DOL 2002 study, the CommutAir flight schedule is not conducive to one day out and back trips. There is a six hour lay over in BOS between the afternoon and evening arrivals at SLK. The commuter schedule is dictated by their east-west operations and not service oriented towards their northern New York stations.
Tax payers continue to subsidize their operations, paying more with each contract for service that becomes more cost prohibitive each year, except for the wealthier air travelers.
By: Don Bourdon
Order 2006-7-12
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued July 10, 2006 | Served July 13, 2006
CommutAir has served Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid for many years and continues to provide them with reliable essential air service. We find that both the service and subsidy levels are reasonable. CommutAir is fully aware of the relocation of Plattsburgh's airport from the Clinton County Airport to the Plattsburgh International Airport and is preparing to relocate its service. While we acknowledge the communities' concerns, service to Boston does provide access to the National air transportation system. Therefore, we will reselect CommutAir, operating under its code-share agreement with Continental Airlines, to provide three round trips each weekday and each weekend to Boston, for an additional two-year period, from September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2008. At the same time, we encourage the carrier to work with the communities to address their concerns. As set forth in Appendix C, service is to be provided with 19-passenger Beech 1900 aircraft at an annual subsidy of $1,706,755.
By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
November 1, 2006
Comments of Town of Harrietstown, NY
On Monday, October 30, 2006, Mr. Joel Raymond, Director of Marketing, CommutAir, and Mr. Christopher Kreig, Manager, Adirondack Regional Airport, discussed proposed changes to CommutAir's flight schedule for the Adirondack Regional Airport. Specifically, they discussed changing the schedule to provide non-stop service twice daily to Albany, New York. CommutAir would still provide one flight daily to Boston. To promote the new service, Mr. Raymond and Mr. Kreig discussed setting the fare for the flights to Albany at $25 each way and would run this promotion through the end of February 28, 2007. Mr. Raymond also proposed offering up to $10,000 towards the marketing of this service and the existing service to Boston as a means of increasing enplanements.
The Town of Harrietstown wholeheartedly supports this proposal. We believe that this is an opportunity to increase enplanements by providing more choice to the traveling public and position Adirondack Regional Airport as an affordable, convenient alternative to driving to and from Albany, NY and Burlington, VT.
By: Larry Miller, 518-891-4500, htownsupv@adelphia.net
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
October 30, 2006
Email Message - Request of CommutAir to Alter EAS Pattern of Service
As discussed, we'd like to bring back the ALB service on two flights and have the other continue to go to BOS. In an effort to promote the "new" ALB service we are willing to offer a $25 one-way promotional fare (through the end of FEB 2007) as well as provide $10k in marking monies to promote the same. As you know, we propose to make this change in line with our next schedule change effective early December.
By: CommutAir, Joel Raymond, 518-562-2700x195
November 3, 2006
Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce in Support of CommutAir Request
The Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and its Legislative Resources Committee supports this proposal. We believe that this is an opportunity to increase enplanements by providing more choice to the traveling public and position Adirondack Regional Airport as an affordable and convenient alternative to driving to and from Albany, NY and Burlington, VT.
By: Sylvie Nelson, 518-891-1990, besttown@saranaclake.com
November 3, 2006
Town of Harrietstown and Village of Saranac Lake in Support of CommutAir Request
The Town of Harrietstown, as operators of the airport, wholeheartedly supports this proposal. The Village of Saranac Lake, as a neighboring municipality, also supports this schedule change. We believe that this is an opportunity to increase enplanements by providing more choice to the traveling public and position Adirondack Regional Airport as an affordable, convenient alternative to driving to and from Albany, NY and Burlington, VT.
By: Saranac Lake Village Mayor Thomas Michael, 518-891-1576, vslmayor@adelphia.net
Order 2006-11-8
OST-2000-8025 - EAS at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - EAS at Plattsburgh, NY
Issued November 13, 2006 | Served November 16, 2006
Order Approving an Alternate Service Pattern
CommutAir proposes to otter an alternate service pattern that would provide Saranac Lake/Lake Placid with two round trips each weekday and each weekend to either ALB or BOS, while maintaining at least one weekday and weekend round trip to BOS. This alternate service pattern will constitute the same frequency level, 18 weekly round trips, as originally proposed. This change will not increase the annual subsidy requirement of $1,706,755. CommutAir also requested to reserve its right to change the service pattern back to the originally proposed pattern described in Order 2006-7-12 should the new service pattern fail to generate the revenue needed to cover its costs. CommutAir intends to begin the new service pattern at Saranac Lake/Lake Placid on or about November 27, 2006. The service pattern at Plattsburgh, New York will remain unchanged.
We approve the alternate service pattern requested by Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, effective November 27, 2006.
By: Todd Homan
OST-1997-2784 - Augusta/Waterville, Bar Harbor, and Rockland, ME
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh, NY
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland, VT
May 18, 2007
Application for Termination of Service
Please find CommutAir's application for termination of Essential Air Service pursuant 14 CFR 323(a)(1), at Plattsburgh, NY, Saranac Lake, NY and Rutland, VT. The decision to file notice of termination is based on CommutAir's plan to retire its fleet of Beech 1900D airliners as it takes delivery of larger aircraft which are not suited (in the opinion of the Company) for EAS markets of this size.
Please understand, filing notice for termination of service was not an easy decision given our company's long standing relationship with all three communities - especially in the case of PLB which is where our company was founded and has maintained its corporate headquarters for the past 18 years.
It is our understanding the effective date of this termination notice, pursuant 14 CFR 323.5, shall be 90 days from the date which the Office of the Secretary receives this application. Furthermore it is our understanding this filing will set into motion the process of "re-bidding" for air service at all three communities and CommutAir will be obligated to continue current service until such time a new carrier is selected.
By: CommutAir, Joel Raymond, 527-562-2700 x195
Order 2007-6-6
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh, NY
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland, VT
Issued June 6, 2007 | Served June 11, 2007
Order Prohibiting Termination of Service and Requesting Proposals
By this order, the Department is: (a) prohibiting Champlain Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a CommutAir, operating as Continental Connection, from terminating its subsidized essential air service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, and Rutland, Vermont, at the end of its 90-day notice period, and (b) requesting long-term proposals from carriers interested in providing EAS at all three communities, for a new two-year period, with or without subsidy. Carriers should file their proposals no later than July 11, 2007.
With specific respect to Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, we expect proposals consisting of service with 19-passenger aircraft and offering three round trips a day to Boston and/or Albany or two round trips a day with larger aircraft. At Rutland, we expect proposals consisting of service with 19-passenger aircraft and offering two round trips each weekday and each weekend to Boston. Such service is generally consistent with what the communities currently receive, and fully satisfies their essential air service requirements. 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.
For Plattsburgh, interested carriers should also note that the Clinton County Airport closed very recently. Certification of Plattsburgh International Airport, formerly Plattsburgh Air Force Base, is complete and now serves as the community's EAS airport.
By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland
July 11, 2007
Proposal of Big Sky Airlines | Word
Big Sky has two operational proposals. All flights will be operated with modern 19 passenger Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, offering a pressurized stand-up cabin and fast cruise speeds. Big Sky recently entered an agreement to acquire eight additional B1900D aircraft, the first of which was delivered on July 6, 2007. This aircraft purchase commitment will nearly double the size of Big Sky’s fleet.
Proposal 1 Service to: Weekly Flights Plattsburgh Boston 18 Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Boston 18 Rutland Boston 12 Annual Subsidy Requirement $3,270,598
Proposal 2 Service to: Weekly Flights Plattsburgh Boston 18 Saranac Lake/Lake Placid Boston 18 Annual Subsidy Requirement $2,408,294
By: Big Sky, Fred deLeeuw, 406-247-3931, fred.deleeuw@bigskyair.com
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland
July 17, 2007
Delta Air Lines, Inc. submits this statement in support of the submission of Big Sky Transportation Co. d/b/a Big Sky Airlines to the extent it proposes to provide essential air service between the above-referenced communities and Boston, Massachusetts. Delta further hereby advises the Department that if Big Sky is selected for EAS from Boston to these destinations, Delta intends to codeshare with Big Sky on those EAS services, by placing the DL* designator code on those flights. A codeshare relationship with Big Sky would offer passengers from the affected EAS communities access to Delta's global transportation system.
Counsel: Hogan & Hartson, Robert Cohn, 202-637-4999, recohn@hhlaw.com
July 17, 2007
DOT Letter Requesting Community Comments of:
We request that you review Big Sky’s 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 August 6, 2007.
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland
July 20, 2007
City of Rutland Request for Extension of Comment Date
I am in receipt of your letter of July 17, 2007 requesting the review of proposals from Big Sky and Cape Air for the EAS program at Rutland State Airport. Please accept this request for an extension of the suspense date from August 6, 2007 to August 13, 2007.
The City's selection committee will be unable to meet with the carriers or have discussions with other impacted municipalities before the 6th, but a one week extension will give us the opportunity to fully review all aspects and details of each proposal.
By: Mayor, Christopher Louras, 802-773-1827
July 20, 2007
DOT Memorandum Extending Comment Date
By letters to the communities listed above, dated July 17, 2007, the Department offered each community the opportunity to provide comments on the essential air service proposal submitted by Big Sky Transportation Company, d/b/a Big Sky Airlines and Hyannis Air Service, d/b/a Cape Air. The deadline for comments was set as August 6. In a letter dated July 20, the Mayor of Rutland requested an extension to file comments.
We are hereby granting the community's request and extending the date for comments from the three communities listed above until August 13, 2007.
By: Dennis DeVany
August 1, 2007
City of Plattsburgh in Support of Big Sky
For the region to be successful, it is critical to offer regular air service at this facility. I have reviewed Big Sky's proposal and I support their presence in Plattsburgh. I would appreciate the U.S. Department of Transportation's financial support for Big Sky as well.
By: Mayor, Donald Kasprzak, 518-563-7701, mayor@cityofplattsburgh.com
August 3, 2007
Although this community was adequately served by CommutAir for the last several years under an EAS contract, Clinton County is excited with the prospect of Big Sky being awarded the EAS contract at PBG. After reviewing Big Sky's proposal, meeting with Mr. deLeeuw and researching this company's past history, it is evident that the proposal offered by Big Sky would significantly enhance passenger air service in our community. Further, Big Sky operating as a Delta Connection, coupled with a simplified and equalized fare structure will, without a doubt, increase enplanements out of PBG to numerous destinations both domestic and international; a dynamic this community awaits eagerly.
By: County Administrator, Michael Zurlo, 518-565-4600
Order 2007-9-4
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland
Issued September 6, 2007 | Served September 11, 2007
Order Extending Service Obligation
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Champlain Enterprises, Inc., d/b/a CommutAir, at the above-captioned communities, for an additional 30 days, through October 17, 2007.
Since September 16th is a Sunday, the initial hold-in should have run through Monday, September 17th; therefore, this hold-in period will end on October 17th.
By: Todd Homan
Order 2007-9-13
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland
Issued September 13, 2007 | Served September 18, 2007
Order Selecting Carriers and Establishing Subsidy Rates
By this order, the Department is selecting: (a) Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, operating as Delta Connection, to provide subsidized EAS at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, utilizing 19-seat Beech 1900-D aircraft, at an annual subsidy rate of $2,408,294, and (b) Hyannis Air Service, Inc., d/b/a Cape Air, to provide subsidized EAS at Rutland, Vermont, with 9-seat Cessna 402s, at annual subsidy rate of $839,746. The carriers will provide EAS at their respective communities for two-year terms beginning when they inaugurate full service.
By: Michael Reynolds
Order 2007-10-18
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh, NY
OST-2005-21681 - Rutland, VT
Issued October 15, 2007 | Served October 18, 2007
Order Extending Service Obligation
By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Champlain Enterprises d/b/a CommutAir, at the above-captioned communities, for an additional 30 days, through November 16, 2007, as described in Order 2007-6-6.
By Order 2007-9-13, the Department selected Big Sky Airlines to provide EAS at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake; and Cape Air at Rutland for a new two-year period. The carrier transitions are scheduled for October 31, after the end of the current hold-in period. Thus, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend CommutAir's service obligation at these communities, for an additional 30 days, or until replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first.
By: Todd Homan
Order 2007-12-20
OST-1996-1559 - Cape Giradeau
OST-2000-7857 - Jackson
OST-1997-2842 - Massena, Ogdensburg and Watertown
OST-2000-7855 - Owensboro
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
Issued December 20, 2007 | Served December 27, 2007
Emergency Request for Proposals for Replacement Service
By this order, the Department is (a) prohibiting Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, from suspending its service at the eight above-captioned communities at the end of its 90-day notice period, and (b) requesting proposals, with or without subsidy requests, from carriers interested in providing replacement service. Because of the emergency nature of this case, proposals are due January 11.
Big Sky was selected to provide essential air service at the eight communities by a series of orders. Big Sky serves all eight communities with 19-seat Beech 1900 aircraft. All five communities in New York receive three round trips to Boston on weekdays and weekends, the levels called for in the existing contracts. At Jackson, Owensboro and Cape Girardeau, Big Sky is providing less than the contract amount, as it had been ramping up its service after replacing RegionsAir. Jackson and Owensboro currently receive one round trip a day to Cincinnati instead of the two called for in the contract, and Cape Girardeau receives two round trips a day instead of three.
On December 20, 2007, Big Sky filed notices of intent to suspend its subsidized EAS at all eight of the communities. Big Sky is the only carrier providing scheduled service at the communities In its notices, Big Sky states that it is incurring unsustainable losses on these routes and that it will be forced to cease all operations at these communities on January 7, notwithstanding the statutory EAS obligations that require a full 90-day notice period.
By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
December 19, 2007
Re: Notice of Termination of Service
Big Sky Transportation Co. d/b/a Big Sky Airlines d/b/a Delta Connection hereby gives notice of the termination of its scheduled services at Plattsburgh, New York and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York effective on January 7, 2008.
Termination of service on January 7, 2008 is both regrettable and unavoidable and is the result of enormous unsustainable financial losses Big Sky has incurred, and which Big Sky is unable to continue to endure, on its Eastern U.S. route system (those routes serving Boston and Cincinnati). The Company does not have the financial resources to continue to absorb these mounting and unacceptable losses and has determined that it has no alternative but to terminate service.
Big Sky is concurrently filing notices of termination of service covering the other EAS points it serves, including its western essential air service points. However, Big Sky is currently in discussions with another carrier to take over Big Sky's Montana EAS services within about 60 days, and Big Sky intends to work with the Department and the replacement airline to effect a seamless transfer of those services.
Counsel: Hogan & Hartson, Robert Cohn, 202-637-4999, recohn@hhlaw.com
OST-1997-2842 - Massena, Ogdensburg and Watertown
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
January 8, 2008
Re: DOT Letter to Congressman John McHugh Regarding Big Sky Airlines
Regrettably, as you know, Big Sky ceased operations on January 7. The Department is working as expeditiously as possible to select a replacement carrier to serve the affected communities. We will be contacting each community shortly after January 11 to solicit their input before we make a carrier selection decision.
By: Andrew Steinberg
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake/Lake Placid
January 11, 2008
Cape Air hereby applies to serve both Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake, but is willing and able to operate either route without the other.
Counsel: Cape Air, Andrew Bonney, 508-790-3122 x519
Order 2008-1-12
OST-2000-8025
OST-2003-14783
Issued January 16, 2008 | Served January 22, 2008
Order Selecting Carrier and Establishing Subsidy Rates
The Department selects Hyannis Air Service, Inc., d/b/a Cape Air, to provide essential air service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, for the two-year period beginning when the carrier starts full EAS at both communities.
We set the final rates of compensation for Hyannis Air Service, Inc., d/b/a Cape Air, for the provision of essential air service at Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, New York, for the two-year period beginning when the carrier begins full EAS, payable as follows: for each month during which essential air service is provided, the amount of compensation shall be subject to the weekly ceilings set forth in Appendix B and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible flights each way completed during the month by $649.37 for Plattsburgh and $674.14 for Saranac Lake/Lake Placid.
By: Michael Reynolds
January 14, 2008
Re: Comments of New York State North Country Airports
In the light of the Big Sky Airlines pullout from the Eastern Region we, the owners, operators, and Chambers of Commerce in the New York State North Country have come together to identify the common requisites for considering air service carriers. Our airports comprise the communities of Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake, and Watertown.
We respectfully request the US DOT add these requisites to the evaluation process when reviewing Essential Air Service bids for our airports. These will also become our own considerations during the evaluation of EAS bidders for service.
By: Massena Intl Airport, Ogdensburg Intl Airport, Plattsburgh Intl Airport and Adirondack Regional Airport
OST-2000-8025 - Saranac Lake
OST-2003-14783 - Plattsburgh
January 16, 2008
St. Lawrence Valley Air Task Force in Opposition to Boston-Maine
The St. Lawrence Valley Air Task Force supports the decision of the owners of the Massena and Ogdensburg airports to oppose PanAm's EAS bid, as submitted, and requests that USDOT issue a new RPP for EAS service to these communities.
By: Chairman, Daniel Pease, 315-769-1982
January 17, 2008
Email Message - Comments in Support of Cape Air
As one of the major employers in the Adirondack Park and a significant economic engine for growth in this region I want to communicate to you how much I support Cape Air's application for service to the Adirondack Regional Airport. We must have regular, reliable service in order to compete in the northeast economy. Having to fly into and out of Albany or Burlington and then arrange ground transportation of well over two hours to make that connection is unacceptable. We must have this air connection and I feel we deserve it.
By: Paul Smiths College President, John Mills, 518-327-6223, jmills@paulsmiths.edu
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