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OST-2005-20736 - EAS at Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
http://www.maacinc.com/ - Clarksburg/Harrison-Marion Regional Airport
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Essential Air Service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia March 22, 2005 Notice of Air Midwest to Terminate Scheduled Air Service Order 84‑11‑62 set forth the essential air service determination at Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV to require two daily nonstop roundtrips each day to Pittsburgh or Washington, with a minimum of 62 inbound and outbound seats per day with 15‑seat or larger equipment. Air Midwest is currently operating four weekday roundtrips; two Saturday and three Sunday roundtrips to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania using Beech 1900D aircraft. Though Air Midwest would prefer to continue providing scheduled air service in Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia the substantial costs resulting from increased federal regulations for regional carriers, the escalating price of jet fuel and the continuing downward pressure on passenger yield make it impossible to continue without Essential Air Service subsidy. The absence of this subsidy requires Air Midwest to advise the Department that scheduled air service will be discontinued. At present, Air Midwest is the sole provider of certificated scheduled air service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia. By: Mesa Air, Mickey Bowman, 602-685-4130
April 11, 2005 Objection of Benedum Airport Authority to Termination of Scheduled Service Currently Mesa Air Group, Inc. provides the only scheduled service to Clarksburg/Fairmont and termination of such service would create an extreme and undue economic and public hardship for the citizens of Harrison and Marion Counties and Central West Virginia. As set forth in the Notice to Terminate Scheduled Air Service filed by Mesa Air Group, Inc., Order 84-11-62 sets forth the essential air service determination at Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia and termination of service would leave Clarksburg/Faimiont, West Virginia without essential air service. Benedum Airport Authority encourages the Department of Transportation to subsidize service as so that continuation of service will be assured. Benedum Airport Authority requests that if the Department of Transportation is to subsidize service to Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV, such subsidized service should be provided to Washington as well as Pittsburgh. By: Roger Diaz, President Benedum Airport Authority
Order 2005-4-19 Issued April 19, 2005 | Served April 22, 2005 Order Prohibiting Termination of Service and Requesting Proposals Because Air Midwest's termination of all scheduled service at Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarkshurg/Fairmont would leave the communities without any air service, we must prohibit the carrier from terminating such service at the end of its 90‑day notice periods, and require it to maintain service at each community, for an initial 30‑day period, consisting of three round trips to Pittsburgh each weekday and over each weekend period. Furthermore, we will require Air Midwest to maintain service at these communities for successive 30‑day periods until we have completed processing the carrier replacement case and the new carrier has actually started service. We expect proposals consisting of service, at a minimum, with two‑pilot, twin‑engine aircraft with at least 15 passenger seats, and offering three round trips each weekday and weekend period between the community and the hub city. Proposals for Parkersburg should contemplate nonstop service to Pittsburgh. Proposals for Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont should contemplate nonstop or one‑stop service to either Pittsburgh or Washington, D.C. Carriers may also propose service to any other suitable hub offering convenient access to the nation's air transportation system. 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. As we discussed earlier, the Department might be in a position to offer up to six commuter DCA slots for Clarksburg/Fairrnont and Morgantown, so carriers may submit DCA proposals as well. Historical traffic for Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont is detailed in Appendix B. During the year ended January 31, 2004, the most recent 12‑month period for which traffic data are available for all three communities, Parkersburg averaged 52.8 enpianements a day, Morgantown averaged 33.9 enpianements a day, and Clarksburg/Fairmont averaged 26.8 enpianements a day. By: Karan Bhatia
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
April 11, 2005 Objection Benedum Airport Authority to Termination of Scheduled Service Currently Mesa Air Group, Inc. provides the only scheduled service to Clarksburg/Fairmont and termination of such service would create an extreme and undue economic and public hardship for the citizens of Harrison and Marion Counties and Central West Virginia. As set forth in the Notice to Terminate Scheduled Air Service filed by Mesa Air Group, Inc., Order 84-11-62 sets forth the essential air service determination at Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia and termination of service would leave Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia without essential air service. By: Benedum Airport Authority, Roger Diaz / Airport Manager, James Griffith
April 12, 2005 Re: Objection of City of Bridgeport to Termination of Scheduled Service Originally there were three flights a day on a 26 passenger plane to Reagan National. When Air Midwest took over this was cut to two flights a day on a 19 seat plane. After September 11, 2001 this was reduced to zero. The restrictions on the aircraft have not allowed this service to be restarted and others have taken the slots. All this despite the fact that the potential customer base has increased because of the FBI and Biotech Centers that have been located in Harrison County. Obviously, the downtown location is convenient for travelers to D.C., but if this is not possible, service to Dulles International would benefit our area. By: L. Joseph Timms, Mayor
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
May 20, 2005 By: John McCamant, EAS & Domestic Analysis Division
May 19, 2005 Request of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport for an Extension By: Carolyn Strock
May 20, 2005 Request of West Virginia Regions Air for an Extension By: Douglas Caldwell
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
June 22, 2005 Proposal of Mesa Air Group, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest to Provide Essential Air Service Mesa Air Group, Inc d!b/a Air Midwest is pleased to submit two proposals to provide Essential Air Service at Parkersburg, West Virginia and two proposals to provide Essential Air Service at Clarksburg and Morgantown, West Virginia. Mesa's proposed options would continue the current service to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for all three communities. We believe that continuing to subsidize service from these three cities to Pittsburgh is in the best interest of the DOT, the communities and Mesa. A true regional hub, Pittsburgh continues to receive service with US Airways and US Airways Express on 233 daily departures. We will continue to work with the communities to increase ridership, and stabilize the air carrier situation for the period of these contracts. By: Mesa, Mickey Bowman
June 21, 2005 Proposal of Mesaba Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Northwest Airlink to Provide Essential Air Service In response to the Department's Order 2005-4-19, Mesaba Aviation, Inc., doing business as Northwest Airlink, is enclosing its detailed subsidy proposal for essential air service at Parkersburg, WV at a level of two roundtrip flights per day, using 34-seat Saab 340 aircraft from Northwest's DTW hub. By: Mesaba, John Spangers
June 22, 2005 Proposal of RegionsAir to Provide Essential Air Service RegionsAir is proposing several options for service to the three West Virginia communities of Parkersburg, Clarksburg and Morgantown. The focus of the service is to Cincinnati where Delta maintains a large hub presence. In addition, we are submitting options with service to Washington Reagan airport to utilize the slots held by Clarksburg and Morgantown. We have proposed the service with Saab 340A aircraft because of the expressed desires of the communities, volume of traffic and the restrictions at Washington Reagan airport. By: RegionsAir
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV June 27, 2005 Re: Letter to Mayor of Clarksburg, WV Seeking Comments I would like to update you on the essential air service situation at Clarksburg and Fairmont, and to give you an opportunity to submit any comments if you wish. As you know, by Order 2005‑4‑19, April 19, 2005, the Department solicited proposals from all carriers interested in providing EAS at ClarksburgIFairmont, Morgantown, and Parkersburg for a two‑year period. In response to that order, we received proposals from Mesa Air Group, dlb/a Air Midwest, RegionsAir, and Mesaba Airlines. We request that you review this information as expeditiously as possible and submit any comments you may have on the carrier selection as soon as possible, but in any case no later than July 15, 2005 By: EAS Division, Dennis DeVany
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
Order 2005-7-12 Issued July 12, 2005 | Served July 15, 2005 Order Extending Service Obligation | Word Although we have received proposals, this case will not be completed before the end of the current hold‑in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Air Midwest's service obligation at the communities for an additional 30 days, or until suitable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first. By: Karan Bhatia
July 11, 2005 Re: MOV Regional Airport Request for Extension to File Comments By: MOV, Carolyn Strock
July 11, 2005 Extension of Time to File Comments The Airport Manager of Mid‑Ohio Valley Airport, on behalf of the communities of Parkersburg, Morgantown and ClarksburgfFairmont, West Virginia, has requested a twoweek extension of time in which to submit community comments on the Department's carrier selection decision. We agree to this extension. The new date for filing comments in the above referenced dockets in now July 29, 2005 By: DOT, John McCamant
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
July 18, 2005 Comments of State of West Virginia in Support of RegionsAir By: Joe Manchin
July 12, 2005 Re: Comments of Delegate Sam Cann in Support of RegionsAir By: Sam Cann
July 18, 2005 Comments of Edward Davis in Support of RegionsAir By: Edward Davis
July 11, 2005 Comments of Harrison County Commission in Support of RegionsAir By: Roger Diaz
July 11, 2005 Commments of Senator Joesph Minard in Support of RegionsAir By: Joseph Minard
July 11, 2005 Comments of City of Clarksburg in Support of RegionsAir By: Frank Ferrari
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
July 27, 2005 Comments of Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce-of the Mid-Ohio Valley and our membership, I am writing to express our belief in and endorsement of the proposal submitted by Regions Air, Inc to provide commercial air service to the Mid-Ohio Valley Airport under Essential Air Service (Docket # 20734), The Chamber believes that flights on larger aircraft going into the Cincinnati Hub with more direct flights to other cities will better serve the business community of the Mid-Ohio Valley. By: George Kellenberger
July 27, 2005 Comments of MOV Regional Airport The Board of Directors oldie Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport have met with representatives from Regions Air, Inc and the Mesa Air Group to review in great detail their proposals to provide essential air service to the our community. The MOVRA Board has also met with community, business and civic leaders to discuss both proposals. After careful and diligent consideration we strongly endorse Option 2 from Regions Air to provide 3 daily round trip flights to Cincinnati. By: D. Blair Couch
July 27, 2005 Comments on Behalf of the Citizens of Parkersburg, WV As the mayor of Parkersburg, West Virginia I am very much aware of the need in our community for quality commercial air service. I am writing this letter on behalf of the citizens of Parkersburg and Wood County to encourage the Department of Transportation to approve the proposal (Docket Number 20734) from Regions Air, Inc. using Saab 340A Aircraft to Cincinnati. By: Jimmy Colombo
July 28, 2005 Comments of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce The Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce endorses the decision of the Mid-Ohio Regional Airport Authority to accept the proposal of RegionsAir, Inc. to provide quality air service to our airport via access to the Cincinnati area airport. By: Charlotte Keim
July 28, 2005 Comments of The County Commission of Wood County We are writing on behalf of the Wood County Commission and the citizens of Wood County to encourage the Department of Transportation to approve the proposal, (Docket Number 20734) from Regions Air, Inc., using Saab 340A Aircraft to Cincinnati. We strongly endorse Option 2 from Regions Air, Inc. to provide 3 daily round trip flights. By: Gary Deem
July 29, 2005 Comments of Business Communities of Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH We, the undersigned Citizens of the Mid-Ohio Valley, representing the business communities of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Marietta, Ohio, call on the Essential Air Service Division of the Department of Transportation to approve the Bidder Proposal (Docket Number 20734) from Regions Air, Inc, using Saab 340A Aircraft to Cincinnati. We strongly endorse Option 2 from Regions Air, Inc to provide 3 daily round trip flights.
August 1, 2005
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV July 26, 2005
Comments of the City of Morgantown The City of Morgantown has met with both potential air carriers, RegionsAir and Mesa Air Group, and after careful consideration City Council endorses RegionsAir, Option 2: "$612,218 for service between Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont and Cincinnati consisting of 3 round trips each weekday and over each weekend period routed MGW‑CKB‑CVG‑CKBMGW." By: Ron Justice
Comments of Washington County Board of Commissioners The Board of Commissioners of Washington County, Ohio wholeheartedly endorses the decision of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority to support the proposal of Regionsair, Inc. to provide air service to the cities of Morgantown and Clarksburg (WV) and the greater Parkersburg/ Marietta area. By: John Grimes
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
August 8, 2005 Ex-Parte Letter to Alan Mollohan By: Dennis DeVany
Issued August 8, 2005 | Served August 11, 2005 Order Extending Service Obligation By: Randall Bennett
Order 2005-9-5 Issued September 8, 2005 | Served September 13, 2005 Order Extending Service Obligation We require Air Midwest, Inc., to maintain essential air service between the coinniunitics and Pittsburgh for an additional 30-day period through October 19, 2005, or until suitable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first, as follows: ClarksburglFairmont - three nonstop or one-stop round trips each weekday and weekend; Morgantown and Parkersburg - three nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend. We direct Air Midwest to retain all books, records, and other source and summary documentation to support subsidy claims for payment, and to preserve and maintain such documentation in a manner that readily permits its audit and examination by representatives of the Departnient. Such documentation shall be retained for seven years or until the Department indicates that the records may be destroyed, whichever comes first. Copies of flight logs for aircraft sold or disposed ofinust be retained. The carrier may forfeit its compensation for any claim that is not supported under the terms of this order. By: Randall Bennett
Order 2005-9-8 September 9, 2005 Order Selecting Carrier and Establishing Subsidy Rate - Bookmarked After a careful review of all of the proposals, as well as all of the community comments submitted, we have decided to select RegionsAir to provide EAS at Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont for a two-year period in accordance with its Option 2. We will establish a combined subsidy rate of $1,051,333 per year for service consisting of 18 nonstop round trips each week between Parkersburg and Cincinnati, and 18 round trips to Cincinnati each week over a MGW-CKB-CVG-CKB-MGW routing, with 34-seat Saab 340A aircraft. We find that the subsidy amount requested is reasonable for the service to be provided. By: Karan Bhatia
Order 2005-10-4 Order Extending Service Obligation We require Air Midwest, Inc., to maintain essential air service between the communities and Pittsburgh for an additional 30-day period through October 19, 2005, or until suitable replacement service actually begins, whichever occurs first, as follows: Clarksburg/Fairmont - three nonstop or one-stop round trips each weekday and weekend; Morgantown and Parkersburg - three nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend. By: Todd Homan
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV October 14, 2005 Letter to US Senator John Rockefeller IV Thank you for your letter of August 30 regarding the proposals submitted by Parkersburg, Morgantown, and ClarksburgFairmont, West Virginia, endorsing RegionsAir to provide essential air service to their communities. You will be pleased to know that the Department recently issued an order selecting RegionsAir to provide all three West Virginia communities with service to Cincinnati. Enclosed is a copy of Order 2005-9-8 that discusses the selection in detail. By: Norman Mineta
October 31, 2005 Thank you for your letter of June 2 regarding the notice filed by Air Midwest to terminate all scheduled essential air service at Clarksburg/Fairmont. Your letter is in direct support of the comments filed by the Harrison-Marion Regional Airport objecting to the proposed termination of air service at Clarksburg/Fairmont. You also express concern about the effect that such termination of service would have on the quality of air service to the community and to the State of West Virginia. You will be pleased to know that the U.S. Department of Transportation recently issued an order selecting RegionsAir to serve Clarksburg/Fairmont, as well as Morgantown and Parkersburg, with service to Cincinnati. I have enclosed a copy of Order 2005-9-8 that addresses the Department’s selection in detail. By: Norman Mineta
Order 2005-11-8 Issued November 4, 2005 | Served November 9, 2005 Order Extending Service Obligation | Word By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Mesa Air Group, d/b/a Air Midwest, Inc. at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown, and Parkersburg, West Virginia for an additional 30 days, through December 19, 2005. Since December 18th is a Sunday, this hold-in period will end on Monday, December 19th. By: Michael Reynolds
October 14, 2005 Thank you for your letter of August 10 regarding a letter from your constituent, Ronald Justice, Mayor of Morgantown. Mayor Justice supports the selection of the proposal of RegionsAir to provide Morgantown with essential air service to Cincinnati, and you asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide to you a report on the status of the selection case. You will be pleased to know that the Department has just recently issued an order selecting RegionsAir to provide Morgantown, and the communities of Parkersburg and Clarksburg/Fairmont, with service to Cincinnati. Enclosed is a copy of Order 2005-9-8, which discusses the selection in detail. By: Norman Mineta
Order 2005-12-10 Issued December 15, 2005 | Served December 20, 2005 Order Extending Service Obligation By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Mesa Air Group, Inc., d/b/a Air Midwest, Inc., at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for an additional 30 days, through January 18, 2006. By: Michael Reynolds
Order 2006-1-7 Issued January 11, 2006 | Served January 17, 2006 Order Extending Service Obligation We require Air Midwest, Inc., to maintain essential air service between the communities and Pittsburgh for an additional 30-day period through February 17, 2006, or until RegionsAir actually inaugurates service, whichever occurs first, as follows: Clarksburg/Fairmont - three nonstop or one-stop round trips each weekday and weekend; Morgantown and Parkersburg - three nonstop round trips each weekday and weekend. By: Todd Homan
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV January 31, 2006 Support of Airport Officials for Proposal of RegionsAir Airport officials at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia unanimously request the US DOT to approve the recent RegionsAir proposal for a change in the original air service destination airport previously approved under the Essential Air Service program for their communities. The governing authorities for each of the airports have voted to authorize RegionsAir to make a change in the destination airport for their service from Cincinnati to Cleveland contingent upon:
By: Carolyn Strock, Robert Hammel, and James Griffith
Order 2006-2-3 Issued February 6, 2006 | Served February 9, 2006 Order Extending Service Obligation On March 31, 2005, Air Midwest filed a 90-day notice of its intent to suspend its unsubsidized service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, WV. By Order 2005-4-19, April 19, 2005, the Department prohibited Air Midwest from suspending service 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 Air Midwest's service obligation for additional 30-day periods, the latest through February 17, 2006, by Order 2006-1-7. By Order 2005-9-8, September 9, 2005, the Department selected RegionsAir to provide subsidized essential air service at the communities However, the carrier transition will not have taken place before the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we must extend Air Midwest's service obligation at the communities for an additional 30 days, or until RegionsAir inaugurates service, whichever occurs first. By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Mesa Air Group, Inc., d/b/a Air Midwest, Inc., at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for an additional 30 days, through March 20, 2006. Since March 19th is a Sunday, this hold-in period will end on Monday March 20th. By: Todd Homan
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV February 23, 2006 RegionsAir Schedule Confirmation This is to confirm that RegionsAir will be providing the same schedule for PKB, CKB and MGW to CLE as it originally proposed to CVG, with no increase in subsidy. By: Fred Breeden
Order 2006-3-1 Issued March 1, 2006 | Served March 6, 2006 Order Approving Alternate Service Pattern By Order 2005-9-8, September 14,2005, the Department selected RegionsAir, Inc. to provide essential air service at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, for a two-year period by operating 18 round trips a week between Parkersburg and Cincinnati and 18 round trips per week over a Morgantown-Clarksburg-Cincinnati-Clarksburg-Morgantown routing. All service is to be with Saab 340A aircraft, and the subsidy is $1,051,333 annually. RegionsAir has not yet inaugurated service, but it will be replacing Air Midwest, Inc., a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group, Inc., at the three communities. RegionsAir requested that it be allowed to switch the communities’ hub from Cincinnati to Cleveland, in large part because it has obtained a code-share arrangement with Continental Airlines, which uses Cleveland as one of its three major hubs. RegionsAir intends to begin service at the three communities on or about May 1, 2006. In a letter received from airport officials at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, all three communities fully support RegionsAir’s request to change the service destination to Cleveland, rather than Cincinnati as originally proposed. We will approve RegionsAir’s request, which meets the three conditions necessary for approval under authority assigned under 14 CFR 395.12(k)(3) of the Departments’ Regulations: (1) the alternate service pattern is equal to or greater than that determined to be essential; (2) the communities do not object to the alternate service pattern; and (3) the alternate service pattern will not increase RegionAir’s subsidy. By: Todd Homan
Order 2006-3-8 Issued March 7, 2006 | Served March 10, 2006 Order Extending Service Obligation On March 31, 2005, Air Midwest filed a 90-day notice of its intent to suspend its unsubsidized service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, WV. By Order 2005-4-19, April 19, 2005, the Department prohibited Air Midwest from suspending service 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 Air Midwest’s service obligation for additional 30-day periods, the latest through March 20, 2006, by Order 2006-2-3. By Order 2005-9-8, September 9, 2005, the Department selected RegionsAir to provide subsidized essential air service at the communities. However, the carrier transition will not have taken place before the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we must extend Air Midwest’s service obligation at the communities for an additional 30 days, or until RegionsAir inaugurates service, whichever occurs first. By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Mesa Air Group, Inc., d/b/a Air Midwest, Inc. at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for an additional 30 days, through April 19, 2006. By: Todd Homan
Order 2006-4-4 Issued April 5, 2006 | Served April 10, 2006 Order Extending Service Obligation On March 31, 2005, Air Midwest filed a 90-day notice of its intent to suspend its unsubsidized service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, WV. By Order 2005-4-19, April 19, 2005, the Department prohibited Air Midwest from suspending service 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 Air Midwest's service obligation for additional 30-day periods, the latest through April 19, 2006, by Order 2006-3-8. By Order 2005-9-8, September 9, 2005, the Department selected RegionsAir to provide subsidized essential air service at the communities. However, the carrier transition will not have taken place before the end of the current hold-in period. Therefore, in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we must extend Air Midwest's service obligation at the communities for an additional 30 days, or until RegionsAir inaugurates service, whichever occurs first. By this order, the Department of Transportation extends the service obligation of Mesa Air Group, Inc., d/b/a Air Midwest, Inc. at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia, for an additional 30 days, through May 19, 2006. By: Todd Homan
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV May 2, 2006 Request of Air Midwest for Relief in Regards to EAS Obligations Air Midwest respectfully requests the Department of Transportation, in accordance with the 14 C.F.R. 323.3 and 14 C.F.R. 323.4, relieve it of its obligation to provide essential air service to the communities of Parkersburg, WV; Morgantown, WV; and Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV as was awarded in Order 2005-9-8, commensurate with the last date of commitment by RegionsAir to assume the service, May 15, 2006. In that order the DOT selected RegionsAir to provide service for a two year period consisting of 18 nonstop round trips each week between Parkersburg and Cincinnati, and 18 round trips to Cincinnati each week over a MGW-CKB-CVG-CKB-MGW routing, with 34-seat Saab 340A aircraft. Subsequently Order 2006-3-1 approved an alternate service pattern designating Cleveland, OH as the new hub for service to the three communities replacing Cincinnati. To date, RegionsAir has yet to provide service under this order. Air Midwest has continued to meet its Essential Air Service obligations throughout this period as required by a series of Hold-In orders from the DOT. At issue is the fact that the original order for service was issued in September of 2005. The order in question states, “We (US DOT) normally expect these transitions to occur in about 60 to 90 days, at which time we will end out reliance on Air Midwest to provide EAS at those communities.” The current transition is at 248 days, assuming RegionsAir meets its latest forecast service date of May 15, 2006. As of May 2, 2006, RegionsAir has yet to file a schedule for service in these communities. RegionsAir has yet to initiate proving runs to validate its ability to operate the equipment it bid in good faith. The result of these continual delays has been hardship to Air Midwest as we have found our equipment and crew resources stretched as we meet our service obligations to the DOT on newly won contracts and continue to provide required service to these West Virginia communities in relief of RegionsAir. As a result of the above, Air Midwest respectfully asks that the DOT act to relieve it of its service obligations at the communities of Parkersburg, WV; Morgantown, WV; and Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV effective with the May 15, 2006 transition date. Failing that, Air Midwest respectfully asks that the DOT rescind the award of this contract to RegionsAir, based upon their inability to provide the service, and reopen these contracts for bid. By: Air Midwest, Mickey Bowman
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV November 20, 2006 Request of MOV Regional Airport for an Emergency RFP to Replace RegionsAir The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority, at its meeting of this date, voted unanimously to ask that the US DOT issue an emergency RFP to replace RegionsAir as the air carrier at Parkersburg, WV. We regret that this action is necessary; however, RegionsAir's inability to maintain reliable air service has been seriously detrimental to our market. The airport will lose its primary airport designation based on the 2006 enplanements which will jeopardize our capital improvement projects for 2008. We have suffered significant revenue losses for the year based on the unreliable air service. Discussions with the incumbent carrier have given us no reason to foresee a turn-around in service in the near future. The airport is unable to sustain its backing of this carrier. We have shared this information with the airports at Morgantown and Clarksburg and believe their governing authorities have reached similar conclusions. By: Airport Manager, Carolyn Strock, 304-464-5113
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV November 22, 2006 Benedum Airport Emergency Request for Proposal for Replacement Air Carrier The Benedum Airport Authority unanimously voted on November 22, 2006 to petition the Department of Transportation for an Emergency Request for Proposal be issued to obtain a replacement Air Carrier for Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia. The present carrier, Regions Air, was selected to fulfill this need on September 9, 2005. Scheduled service did not begin until May 2006 with a limited schedule (2 flights) daily. Finally, Regions attained the level of service identified by the DOT order the following month of 3 weekday round trips. From the inception of this service operational problems (reliability) have existed which eroded the traveling public’s confidence. Frequent cancellations and delays caused major interruptions in passenger schedules to the point that few, if any, local citizens still consider the scheduled service at Clarksburg a viable consideration for the travel plans. Within a few short years enplanements have dropped at this airport after multi-millions of dollars have been invested by Federal, State and Local governments to assure the traveling public’s access to North Central West Virginia. The selection of a new replacement carrier to accomplish this end will have continuing long term affect on this area. By: Benedum Airport Manager, James Griffith
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 6, 2006 Re: Comments of The City of Morgantown The purpose of this letter is to inform your office of the City of Morgantown' s dissatisfaction with the current commercial air service provided by RegionsAir at the Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW). RegionsAir, operating as "Continental Connection", has proven to be unreliable since the service transition beginning with the "interim service" from May 2006 to July and continued on through the full‑schedule which commenced on July 15, 2006 to the present. Numerous situations, in regard to cancellations and delays, has resulted in customer/patron discontent which has been expressed on many occasions through personal conversation and telephonic/electronic means. Due to the recent marketing campaign cancellation by Continental Airlines and the uncertainty of Continental's intent to sustain their endorsement of the Continental Connection service, MGW and the City of Morgantown respectively requests that your office issue an RFP at the earliest date to minimize possible disruption to commercial air service for Morgantown and the surrounding communities. By: Mayor, Dan Boroff
Order 2006-12-9 Issued December 12, 2006 | Served December 15, 2006 By this order, the Department is requesting proposals from carriers interested in providing essential air service at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, for a two-year period, with or without subsidy. With respect to the specific West Virginia markets at issue here, we expect proposals consisting of service that is comparable to the existing service, namely two-pilot, twin-engine aircraft with 30 passenger seats, and offering three round trips each weekday and each weekend from Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, to Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit Metro, Pittsburgh, Washington Dulles, or another suitable hub where connections to the national air transportation system can be made. The community of Clarksburg/Fairmont has specifically requested proposals that offer service to Washington, D.C. If any carriers propose to serve Clarksburg/Fairmont and Morgantown independently, we would he inclined to subsidize 19-seat aircraft because neither community by itself would justify larger aircraft. Alternatively, we would consider two round trips with 30-seaters for each if they are served independently. If 19-seat aircraft are proposed, we would consider subsidizing a fourth round trip flight at Parkersburg, and a fourth round trip for Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont if they are served together on a linear routing. We encourage proposals that meet those requirements in an efficient manner. Carriers are also welcome to propose more than one service option, if they choose; they need not limit themselves to those requirements if they envision other, potentially more attractive service possibilities-different hubs, for example, with subsidy requirements that remain competitive. By: Andrew Steinberg
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 22, 2006 Re: Letter from Counsel to RegionsAir Pursuant to Appendix D of Order 2006‑12‑9 described as General Terms and Conditions for Essential Air Service; if the Department unilaterally, either partially or completely, terminates or reduces payments for service or changes service requirements at a specific location provided for under this order, then, at the end of the period for which the Department does make payments in the stipulated amounts or at the stipulated levels, the carrier may cease to provide service to that specific location without regard to any requirement of notice of such cessation. DOT's Order Requesting Proposals has caused and will continue to cause economic harm to Regions Air. Regions Air, Inc. serves this Notice of Cessation of Services effective December 30, 2006. A subsidy agreement is considered a contract, and not an agency regulation. Counsel: Hornbeck Law, Tracey Robinson-Coffee
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 28, 2006 Re: DOT Response to RegionsAir The Department is not terminating or reducing any payments to RegionsAir under that order. The Department continues to reimburse RegionsAir for flights completed at the rates set in Order 2005‑9‑8, where RegionsAir was selected to provide subsidized essential air service to the three West Virginia communities noted above. Before any carrier may terminate essential air service, whether subsidized or not, 49 U.S.C. 41734 requires that it must first file a 90-day notice of its intent to suspend such service. Even then, the carrier may leave only after the Department selects a new carrier and the replacement service is filly in place. Therefore, RegionsAir is under a statutory obligation to maintain service in each of these markets beyond December 30, 2006, and the Department expects RegionsAir to comply fully with that obligation. The Department is considering your letter as RegionsAir's 90‑day notice to suspend service to these three communities. Effective March 27, 2007, RegionsAir is free to suspend service at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, provided that the Department has selected a replacement carrier by that date and the replacement carrier has inaugurated full service at each of the three communities. By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 29, 2006 Re: RegionsAir Response to DOT With regards to your interpretation of Appendix D of Order 2006-12-9 and 49 USC 41734 we respectfully disagree. The DOT by its December 15, 2006 Order in effect rise to the level of terminating and or reducing payments to RegionsAir. The Court of Appeals has held that subsidy agreements are contracts not agency regulation. It is not RegionsAir's intention to inconvenience said communities or the DOT and RegionsAir is willing to work with the DOT within reason. In order to maintain services RegionsAir is seeking increased compensation and or funding to cover its losses during this short transition period as well as implementing a reduced flight schedule. As the circumstances stand, RegionsAir continues to suffer irreparable financial losses. Counsel: Hornbeck Law, Tracey Robinson-Coffee
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
January 5, 2007 Mesa's proposed option would contemplate service to Pittsburgh, PA. Mesa proposes to operate all flight under the US Airways Express codeshare. All operations proposed would utilize our modern fleet of Raytheon/Beechcraft B-1900D airliners.
By: Air Midwest, Mickey Bowman
January 5, 2007 Proposals of Big Sky Airlines - Bookmarked | Word Big Sky has two EAS proposals for service to all three communities, with both 18 and 24 weekly flights. The proposed subsidy for the 18 weekly flight option is $3,097,876 annually while the subsidy for the 24 weekly flight proposal is $3,789,387. All flights will be operated with modern 19-passenger Beechcraft 1900D aircraft. As a result of the short timing, initially, the flights will operate as Big Sky Airlines. Later in the year, the flights will convert to Delta Connection flights. It is our belief that our proposals to provide service to Cincinnati will enhance the level of service and ridership in these communities. Big Sky is aware that this bid represents an extraordinary situation and is prepared to begin service by approximately May 15, 2007. By: Big Sky, Fred deLeeuw, 406-247-3912, fred.deleeuw@bigskyair.com
January 5, 2007 In our proposal we plan to utilize the Saab-340 flying under the USAirways Express brand and would require an annual subsidy of $2,421,914. The start date of Colgan’s new service would be coordinated with Regions Air to ensure a smooth transition and can be no earlier than March 4, 2007. The proposed service pattern for the community would be:
The services offered by Colgan to Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia from Pittsburgh will be operated as USAirways Express, and will allow for connections to USAirways entire network via Pittsburgh. By: Colgan, Michael Colgan, 703-331-3101
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
January 5, 2007 Emergency Request of RegionsAir RegionsAir is asking for an emergency short-term selection for Morgantown, Parkersburg and Clarksburg, West Virginia (to/from Cleveland), effective immediately, at an increased subsidy amount. The increased subsidy is essential to continue to protect the continuation of service to the communities. The carrier and the communities initially sought a code sharing agreement with Delta Air Lines that the communities felt was likely to be granted. After numerous discussions it became clear that an agreement was not going to be possible. We then approached Continental and worked out an agreement that but the process delayed our start up to transition to a new hub and concept. The aircraft that Regions leased were virtually all delivered late to the company (some as much as two months) forcing us to run a reduced operation and since the maintenance providers could not guarantee a date we could not load schedules and sell tickets in advance of service. The aircraft initially had lots of maintenance issues that caused service problems and forced the company to expend far more than anticipated on maintenance to resolve the service issues. Although we ultimately fixed the reliability issues, Continental informed us this fall that they were going to terminate our code share agreement which means that we would have no reasonable method of providing reservations and selling tickets. However, on a positive note, we have taken steps to drastically reduce our expenses with a schedule change that will go into effect January 13, and our proposal reflects a decrease in forecast expenses of almost $2,000,000 compared to our original bid. Unfortunately, at the same time, our revenues are down about $4 million, and there are basically three reasons for that. First, in retrospect we were too optimistic in our passenger forecasts. Second, as we mentioned above, we did have serious reliability problems in the first few months and it takes a long time to recover from that even after the service is back on track. Third, our ability to save nearly $2 million in expenses necessarily has an effect on revenues as well. Therefore, based on all of the above, we feel that it is reasonable for the Department to approve our request for an Emergency Short Term Selection for 30 days or until a replacement carrier commences service. By: RegionsAir, Doug Caldwell
January 8, 2007 Requests for Community Comments of: As you know, by Order 2006-12-9, December 12, 2006, the Department solicited proposals from all interested air carriers to provide service at Clarksburg, as well as at Morgantown and Parkersburg, West Virginia. In response to that order, we received proposals from three carriers: Colgan Air, Big Sky Airlines, and Mesa Air Group, Inc. d/b/a Air Midwest. Please note that the average passenger fares shown in each proposal do not necessarily reflect the average local fare Clarksburg passengers would actually pay, but, rather, reflect a prorated portion of the total ticket price, e.g., the Clarksburg-Pittsburgh portion of a Clarksburg-Pittsburgh-Washington, D.C. ticket that the subsidized carrier would realize. Also, the fare shown is net of certain charges such as Federal transportation security fees, excise or ticket taxes, and Passenger Facility Charges. We request that you review each proposal and service option 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 January 17, 2007. By: Dennis DeVany
January 16, 2007 Comments of the Benedum Airport Authority | Word Following a lengthy analysis the Authority chooses to endorse Colgan Air to provide the scheduled airline service to Clarksburg/Fairmont. Colgan’s proposal should create the potential for this airport to enplane the necessary 10,000 passengers to be eligible for the Airport Improvement Program and eventually progress to a point in time where subsidy is not required to sustain airline service in North Central West Virginia. Although Cincinnati offers many attractive possibilities, we believe the use of the 34 seat aircraft along with a timely start up date will permit Harrison-Marion Regional Airport to regain its customer base and economic viability. It is therefore, the recommendation of the Benedum Airport Authority that Colgan Air be selected as the Essential Air Carrier for Harrison-Marion Regional Airport. By: Harrison-Marion Regional Airport Manager, James Griffith
Order 2007-1-14 Issued and Served January 25, 2007 Order Making Temporary Carrier Selection We select RegionsAir on a short-term basis at an increased subsidy rate to provide essential air service at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown, and Parkersburg, West Virginia. The Department sets the final rate of compensation for RegionsAir, Inc., for the provision of essential air service at Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, as described in Appendix B, effective on the date of issuance of this order until a long-term replacement carrier is fully in place, 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 B, and shall be determined by multiplying the subsidy-eligible arrivals and departures performed at Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown, and Parkersburg during the month by $540.23. The Department gives all interested persons three business days from the issue date of this order to file a petition for reconsideration. By: Andrew Steinberg
Order 2007-1-16 Issued January 25, 2007 | Served January 30, 2007 By this order, we are selecting Colgan Air, Inc. d/b/a US Airways Express to provide subsidized essential air service at Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, for two years, beginning when the carrier inaugurates service. Each community will receive 19 weekly round trips to Pittsburgh with 34-passenger Saab 340 aircraft. Service from Parkersburg will be nonstop in each direction. Service from Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont will be served with a Pittsburgh-Morgantown-Clarksburg-Pittsburgh or a Pittsburgh-Clarksburg-Morgantown-Pittsburgh routing. The total combined annual subsidy is $2,421,914. By: Andrew Steinberg
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 6, 2007 Notification from Colgan Air to Modify Existing Subsidized EAS Requirements Respectfully submits notification that Colgan plans to exercise its option to serve Washington Dulles International instead of Pittsburgh. Colgan will be providing this service d/b/a United Express. Colgan proposes to begin operating as United Express to United Airline's Washington Duties hub. This transition will take place in two phases. Phase I - January 7, 2008 Parkersburg flights will begin operating to Washington Dulles International d/b/a United Express. Phase II - January 21, 2008 Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont will also begin operating d/b/a United Express to Washington Dulles International Airport. Each community will receive 19 weekly roundtrips to Washington Dulles utilizing a 30/33/34 passenger seat Saab 340 aircraft. Service from Parkersburg will be non-stop in each direction. Service from Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont will be served with a Dulles-Morgantown/Clarksburg-DuIles or a Dulles-Clarksburg-Morgantown-Dulles routing. We further propose that the total combined annual subsidy remains the same $2,421,914. Colgan Air believes this change to begin operating as United Express into United's Washington Dulles hub has much better connecting opportunities around the country and around the world and will have a very positive impact for the traveling public and the communities of Parkersburg, By: Colgan, George Casey
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV December 17, 2007 Morgantown Municipal Airport in Support of Colgan Air | Word The Morgantown Municipal Airport and the City of Morgantown extends it support of the pending Washington Dulles “United Express” service scheduled to commence on 21 January 2008. By: Airport Director, Robert Hammel, 304-290-7461, bhammel@wvds1.net
Order 2007-12-24 Issued and Served December 21, 2007 Order Approving Alternate Service Pattern | Word By this order, we are approving the request of Colgan Air, Inc. d/b/a US Airways Express to change Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont’s hub destination from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles. Colgan states that continuing to provide these communities’ EAS to Pittsburgh is no longer economically feasible because US Airways has discontinued Pittsburgh as a hub city, thereby drastically reducing its flight operations. It requests to change the service from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles, operating as United Express, rather than US Airways Express, to serve United’s hub operation at Washington Dulles International Airport. Service would be operated by 30/33/34 passenger Saab 340 aircraft with 19 weekly round trips, the same as the current contract. Colgan believes the change will offer much better domestic and international connecting opportunities and will have a very positive impact for the traveling public and each community. Service from Parkersburg would change from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles effective January 7, 2008. Service from Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont would change from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles effective January 21, 2008. By: Todd Homan
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV
December 14, 2007 Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport in Support of Colgan Air | Word We have received notification from Colgan Air of a proposed change in Essential Air Service. Effective January 7, 2008 Colgan Air desires to cease d/b/a US Airways Express and will begin d/b/a United Express. Additionally, services from the Mid Ohio Valley Regional Airport will stop going to Pittsburgh but will instead go to Dulles. The 19 flights a week will be maintained. The Mid Ohio Valley Airport Authority poses no objection to the changes requested by Colgan Air. By: Airport Manager, Terry Moore
December 18, 2007 Benedum Airport Authority in Support of Colgan Air | Word The Benedum Airport Authority, during its regularly scheduled meeting on December 12, 2007, reaffirmed the change of scheduled air service from Pittsburgh, PA to Washington Dulles Airport. By: Airport Manager, James Griffith
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV March 28, 2008 Ninety-Day Notice of Colgan Air to Terminate Scheduled EAS Service Colgan Air Inc. gives notice of its intent to terminate service at Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia ninety days from the date of this notice. Colgan Air plans to cease service at Parkersburg, Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia effective June 28, 2008. Colgan presently operates 19 non-stop round trips weekly between Parkersburg and Washington-Dulles and 19 round trips weekly between Clarksburg-Morgantown and Washington Dulles. Colgan currently operates a 34 passenger Saab 340B aircraft on this service. By: Colgan, George Casey, 703-368-8880
Order 2008-4-11 Issued and Served April 7, 2008 Order Prohibiting Termination of Service and Requesting Proposals Because Colgan's proposed termination of service would leave Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Clarksburg/Fairmont without any scheduled air service, we must prohibit the carrier from terminating such service at the end of its 90‑say notice period and request proposals for replacement service. We will also require it to maintain service at the communities for an initial 30‑day period after the original 90‑day notice period consistent with the current contract. Furthermore, we will require Colgan to continue to maintain service at the communities for successive 30‑day periods until we have completed processing the carrier replacement case and the new carrier has actually started service. With respect to the specific West Virginia markets at issue here, we expect proposals consisting of service that is comparable to the existing service, namely two‑pilot, twinengine aircraft with 30 passenger seats, and offering three round trips each weekday and each weekend to Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington Dulles, or another suitable hub where connections to the national air transportation system can be made. If any carriers propose to serve Clarksburg/Fairmont and Morgantown independently, we would be inclined to subsidize 19‑seat aircraft because neither community by itself would justify larger aircraft. Alternatively, we would consider two round trips with 30‑seaters for each if they are served independently. If 19seat aircraft are proposed, we would consider subsidizing a fourth round trip at Parkersburg, and a fourth round trip for Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont if they are served together on a linear routing. We encourage proposals that meet those requirements in an efficient manner. Carriers are also welcome to propose more than one service option, if they choose; they need not limit themselves to those requirements if they envision other, potentially more attractive service possibilities‑different hubs, for example‑with subsidy requirements that remain competitive. By: Michael Reynolds
OST-2005-20736 - Clarksburg, WV May 2, 2008 Colgan Air, Inc. respectfully submits a proposal to continue providing subsidized service between the communities of Clarksburg and Morgantown, West Virginia and Washington Dulles International Airport. This proposal uses Saab 340 aircraft and would require a combined annual subsidy of $2,116,650. Addtionally, Colgan submits a proposal to continue providing subsidized service between the community of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Washington Dulles International Airport and would require an annual subsidy of $3,436,090. The proposed service options for the West Virginia communities are as follows: Clarksburg 18 round-trips per week operated as a combination of one-stop and non-stop service to Washington-Dulles; Morgantown 18 round-trips each week operated as a combination of one-stop and non-stop service to Washington-Dulles. Parkersburg 18 round trips per week operated as non-stop service to Washington-Dulles. By: Colgan, George Casey, 703-331-3101
Order 2008-5-37 Issued and Served May 27, 2008 Order Selecting Carrier, Requesting Proposals and Setting Subsidy Rates | Word By this order, the Department is: (a) reselecting Colgan Air, Inc. d/b/a United Express to provide subsidized essential air service at Morgantown and Clarksburg/Fairmont, West Virginia, at a total annual subsidy rate of $2,116,650, for the two-year period of June 1, 2008, through May 31, 2010, (b) requesting proposals, with or without subsidy, by June 18 from carriers interested in providing EAS at Parkersburg, West Virginia, for a new two-year period, beginning when the carrier inaugurates full service, and (c) setting a final rate for an interim period for Colgan’s service at Parkersburg, West Virginia, in order for the carrier to be compensated, from June 1, 2008, until further Department action, pending the completion of the carrier-selection case. By: Michael Reynolds |
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