Essential Air Service at Laurel/Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Order 2006-3-23
OST-2001-10685

Issued March 24, 2006 | Served March 29, 2006

Order Requesting Proposals | Word

By Order 2004-8-11, August 12, 2004, the Department selected Mesaba Aviation, Inc., d/b/a Northwest Airlink, to provide subsidized essential air service at LaurellHattiesburg for the two-year period through June 30, 2006, by operating two nonstop round trips each weekday and three over the weekend to Memphis with 34-seat, Saab 340 equipment, at an annual subsidy of $1,100,253.

We expect proposals consisting of service, at a minimum, with two-pilot, twin-engine, 15-seat or larger aircraft, and two or three round trips a day to Memphis. For proposals with 30-seat or larger aircraft, we would not be inclined to authorize subsidy for more than two round trips a day. Such service is generally consistent with what the community now receives, and fully satisfies Laurel/Hattiesburg's 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.

Prior to September 11, 2001, Laurel/Hattiesburg was served without subsidy for many years to Memphis by Mesaba. Historical passenger levels at the Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport grew each year from 1997 through 2000, when enplanements reached 12,412 (39.5 enplanements per service day). After September 11, enplanements fell and hit a low of 10,361 (33.1 daily enplanements) in 2002. Since then, traffic has grown steadily, and in 2005 exceeded the pre-September 11 levels.

By: Todd Harmon