Home | Search | Help
OST by Number | OST by Order | OST by Carrier | OST by Subject | OST by Day
OIA by Carrier/Subject | OIA by Day | FAA by Number | FAA by Subject | FAA by Day
Carrier Financials | Charter Office | Answer/Reply Calendar
Updated:
OST-2007-27370 - Small Community Air Service Development Program - Letters in Support
OST-2002-11590 - 2002 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2003-15065 - 2003 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2004-17343 - 2004 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2005-20127 - 2005 Small Community Air Service Development Program
OST-2006-23671 - 2006 Small Community Air Service Development Program
|
Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Tennessee | Vermont | Washington | West Virginia
Letters in Support of Yuma, AZ:
April 13, 2007 Northwest Airlines Requesting an Extension of Deadline for Northwest AR I was recently contacted by Richard Sheid, who represents Mountain Home Regional Airport in northwest Arkansas. Based on his knowledge of the area and historical aviation performance, he believes Northwest Airlines could do well serving WMH to our hub in MEM. While it appears to be a reasonable case, we will need to examine the route and determine its potential contribution to our system. He also mentioned there is a certain amount of federal funds available to subsidize new service to WMH, through the Small Community Air Service Development. As you may be aware, Northwest Airlines is preparing to emerge from bankruptcy in 2Q07, and our workload reflects an emphasis on projects related to that event. As a result, we are unable to consider service to WMH in 2007 at this time. The purpose of this letter, however, is to ask you to extend the Small Community Air Service Development application deadline for WMH until late 2007. Sometime in 4Q07 we will be able to better assess the potential viability of the market and ascertain the aircraft funding for the new service. By: North America Planning, Matt Friebe
May 8, 2007 City of Merced in Opposition to Castle Airport The County of Merced submitted a grant proposal for the Castle Airport under the Small Community Air Service Development Program. We call to the Department's attention that the proposal from Merced County is inconsistent with the Program guidelines established by the Department of Transportation.
As the only entity receiving subsidized air service under the EAS program, the City's grant application complies with the Program's guidelines. On the other hand, Merced County's application seeks grant funds to compete against the EAS-subsidized service at the Merced Municipal Airport, which, under the Department's established policy, should not be considered. By: Mayor, Ellie Wooten
June 4, 2007 On May 21, 2007, MESA (Air Midwest) Airlines announced it was terminating service at Merced Municipal Airport effective August. While DOT may require an EAS extension by the existing carrier, that extension would end with a new carrier starting service in the "Community," not necessarily the City, or at the expiration of the grant in 2008. Merced County's grant application simply seeks to help remedy the instability caused by the EAS provider exiting the community by seeking greater connectivity to California regional hubs, separate from any LAS route. As the City recognizes in its own letter, the County does not seek to serve the same city‑pair market, or the same route as was once occupied by the area's EAS. In fact, as our grant application makes clear, the County's proposal looks toward hub airports with jet services while the City focuses on turbo prop, 19‑passenger service only to Las Vegas. We believe there is ample room for both services in this, one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, and that our proposal is not in "competition" with the LAS service By: John Pedrozo
April 27, 2007 Letters in Support of Stockton, California:
Letters in Support of Grand Junction, CO:
April 20, 2007 Walker Field Airport Authority in Support of Grand Junction, CO Enclosed you will find many letters of support from the Grand Junction, Colorado community, regarding the Small Community Air Service Development Program. Many businesses here in the Grand Valley have lobbied together in pursuit of bettering our air service. After reading the letters, I hope you will recognize the importance of air service in the Grand Junction area. By: Walker Field Manager, Rex Tippetts
May 23, 2007 City of Houston in Support of Panama City, FL The City of Houston respectfully submits this letter in support of the proposal submitted by Panama City, Florida in response to the Department's recent Small Community Air Service Development Program solicitation. Houston welcomes Panama City's interest in the acquisition of air service to George Bush Intercontinental airport, and strongly supports Panama City's proposal. We recognize the challenges that small communities such as Panama City can encounter in expanding air service opportunities for their business, residents, an visitors. This program not only serves as an important and valuable tool to small community air service development, but it also stimulates the growth of the greater Houston area and affected communities. By: Richard Vacar Letters in Support of Columbus, GA:
May 24, 2007 Senator Saxby Chambliss in Support of Columbus, GA I am writing in support of the grant application for the Columbus Airport Commission for a Small Community Air Service Development Program grant from the United States Department of Transportation. The grant seeks $650,000 in federal funds, combined with $250,000 in funding from the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. These funds are to procure new commercial air carrier service at the Columbus Metropolitan Airport. By: Saxby Chambliss
June 25, 2007 Fort Benning in Support of Columbus, GA Fort Benning has reviewed the Columbus Airport Commission’s request for a $650,000 federal grant under the DOT’S Small Community Air Service Development Program. We support the need for increased service to the Columbus Metropolitan Airport and recognize the need for a strategic action plan that details a path forward to incentivize competitive service at CSG and analyzes methods to reduce the costs of starting a new service at CSG. By: Col. Keith Lovejoy
Letters in Support of Sioux City, IA:
Letters in Support of Sioux City, IA:
April 25, 2007 Frontier Airlines in Support of Sioux City, IA In conjunction with the subject grant application filed by the City of Sioux City, Frontier Airlines supports the plan to provide the air service described therein. Our interest is contingent on the US Department of Transportation’s grant offer and acceptance by the sponsors. The amount of the grant shall be sufficient to fund the elements of the application’s Action Plan for which federal funds are specifically requested. By: Frontier, John Happ, 720-374-4200
August 6, 2007 Congresswoman Nancy Boyda in Support of Topeka, KS I strongly support the Consortium Application from Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority and Salina Airport Authority under the Small Community Air Service Development Program for new air service with Great Lakes Airlines between Denver, Salina, Topeka and St. Louis.
Letters in Support of Bowling Green, KY:
May 22, 2007 Congressman Ron Lewis in Support of Bowling Green, KY I am pleased to have this opportunity to offer my support for the grant application initiated by the Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport Board. It is my understanding that an application is being submitted in pursuit of $185,000 in grant funds from the 2007 Small Community Air Service Development Program. If approved, funding would be utilized to conduct air service feasibility studies and to develop a marketing strategy for the air service plan. I am extremely interested in this effort because this service will provide substantial benefits to my constituents by providing a new and powerful economic development tool for area Chambers of Commerce and industrial development groups. By: Ron Lewis
Support for Elizabethtown, KY:
June 22, 2007 Senator Jim Bunning in Support of Elizabethtown, KY This airline service will provide numerous benefits to the community, the economy and especially to our men and women in uniform at Fort Knox . The Elizabethtown Regional Airport is committed to moving forward on this project and restoring commercial airline service. EAB is supported by numerous regional governments and organizations. This broad based support is a clear indicator of the importance of the re-establishment of commercial airlines service to Elizabethtown. It is without hesitation that I commend the efforts of all participants in this program and encourage its development. Elizabethtown airline service will undoubtedly bring substantial benefits to the Commonwealth. By: Jim Bunning, 202-224-4343
June 26, 2007 Senator Mitch McConnell in Support of Lexington, KY
Hardin County, KY in Support of Elizabethtown, KY
Air Gumbo Supporting the Grant Application of Shreveport Regional Airport Although Air Gumbo plans to make Shreveport Regional Airport its secondary (minihub) operation, offering direct flights to the Western States as well as to Europe and Asia through its New Orleans international hub, its plan is radically different from the above proposal. However. Air Gumbo's plan would accomplish the same desired goals as Shreveport's. In spite of the economic self-reliance that Air Gumbo would help provide to Shreveport. starting-up carriers such as Air Gumbo are rarely factored into proposals for Small Community Air Service Development Programs because these carriers are not currently operating. Since the Boyd Group made favorable remarks concerning Air Gumbo and its attractiveness to potential investors one might assume that if Air Gumbo were currently in operation it would have been given consideration as a possible partner in this proposal. By: Air Gumbo, Ralston Champagnie, 337-781-0034, ralston@airgumbo.com
Letters in Support of Shreveport, LA:
Letters in Support of Shreveport, LA:
Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce in Support of Shreveport, LA
Support for Hagerstown, MD:
Letters in Support of Hagerstown, MD:
Hagerstown Regional Airport Support for Hagerstown's Application
April 9, 2007 Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County Airport:
April 10, 2007 Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County Airport:
April 11, 2007 Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County Airport:
April 18, 2007 Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County Airport:
April 18, 2007 Frontier Airlines in Support of Kalamazo/Battle Creek, MI We support Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport’s application and ask that you afford them every opportunity to gain funds through this new and unique federal program. This letter is intended to be an expression of interest only and does not constitute an actual offer by Frontier Airlines to provide air service in the event a grant is awarded. By: Frontier, John Happ
Frontier Airlines' Support for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intl Airport
April 26, 2007 Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County Airport:
Letters in Support of Gogebic-Iron County, MI:
Support Letters for Gogebic-Iron County, Michigan:
Letters in Support of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, MI:
Support Letters for Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, Michigan
Letters in Support of Battle Creek, MI:
April 25, 2007 Continental in Support of Saginaw, MI Continental Airlines supports the SCASD application of MBS International. The availability of SCASD funds may make a difference in Continental’s consideration of MBS International as a possible new market. Therefore, Continental asks that you give the MBS International application every possible consideration for funding. By: Network Development, James Ferea
April 26, 2007 Continental in Support of Traverse City, MI Continental Airlines supports the SCASD application of Traverse City. The availability of SCASD funds may make a difference in Continental's consideration of Traverse City as a possible new market. Therefore, Continental asks that you give the Traverse City application every possible consideration for funding. By: Network Development, James Ferea
Letters in Support of Duluth, MN:
Letters in Support of Duluth, MN:
Letters in Support of Helena, MT:
Letters in Support of Elko, NV:
Letters in Support of Atlantic City, NJ:
Letters in Support of Atlantic City, NJ:
May 24, 2007 Congressman Frank LoBiondo in Support of Atlantic City, NJ I write in strong support of the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s application for an Airport Improvement Grant to implement a marketing services plan for the Atlantic City International Airport. Currently, the nearly three million residents of Southern New Jersey are forced to fly out of the highly congested and delay prone Philadelphia or Newark International Airports due to limited service at ACY. It is my understanding these funds would be used by the SJTA to expand existing air service and attract new air service to ACY. By: Frank LoBiondo, 202-225-6572
April 2, 2007 City of Pueblo Financial Assurances The City of Pueblo would like to give assurance to the Department of Transportation that, if the City is awarded the SCASD grant as proposed, its financial obligations of local match money will, subject to annual appropriation, be made available for the project as outlined in the application package. By: Judy Weaver, 719-553-2655
Letters in Support of Rhinelander-Oneida County, NY:
Letters in Support of Newbern, NC:
May 1, 2007 Duplin County Airport Commission in Support of North Carolina Communities We are writing to you in support of the State of North Carolina's proposal, under Docket OST-2007-27370, concerning the Small Community Air Service Grant program. Funds from this grant will be used to develop individual programs to support and improve on-demand air service for the eleven regional airports participating in the grant application. By: Airport Director, George Futrelle
June 15, 2007 Town of Edenton, NC in Support of North Carolina Coalition Proposal We are writing to you in support of the State of North Carolina's proposal, under Docket OST-2007-27370, concerning the Small Community Air Service Grant program. Funds from this grant will be used to develop individual programs to support and improve on-demand air service for the eleven regional airports participating in the grant application. As a member of the coalition, we are very interested in improving the access to the nation's air transportation network for our community through air service at our airport. By: Town Manager, Anne-Marie Knighton, 252-482-2155
Letters in Support of Minot, ND:
Letters in Support of Youngstown, OH:
Howland Township Support for Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport
Smith Township Trustees in Support of Youngstown, OH
May 31, 2007 Continental Airlines in Support of Astoria and Newport, OR In recent months, we have met and discussed service improvements with our code share partner Continental Airlines and the communities of Astoria and Newport Oregon and believe their case has merit based on the following:
By: Continental Connection, Jeff Flaherty
Letters in Support of Astoria and Newport, OR:
April 17, 2007 SkyWest Airlines in Support of Klamath Falls, OR In conjunction with the attached grant application filed by the City of Klamath Falls (OR), SkyWest Airlines supports the plan to provide the air service described therein. Our support is contingent on the U.S. Department of Transportation's grant offer and acceptance by the sponsors. The amount of the grant shall be sufficient to fund the elements of the application's Action Plan for which federal funds are specifically requested. SkyWest Airlines support for the proposed air service hinges on full funding and implementation of the applicant's complete Action Plan by all parties. It is our understanding that grant offers will be made on or before September 30, 2007. If the federal government does not make a grant offer to the sponsor on or before that date, SkyWest Airlines, at its discretion, is under no obligation to provide the air service described in the referenced grant application. By: SkyWest, Michael Thompson
Letters in Support of Altoona-Blair County, PA:
April 25, 2007 US Airways in Support of Pennsylvania Consortium US Airways is pleased to submit this letter in support of the application tor a Small Community Air Service Development grant submitted by the Pennsylvania consortium. As the largest carrier in Pennsylvania, US Airways fully supports the efforts outlined in the application. The project will provide valuable insight into the issues affecting air service in small communities. In addition, in our experience, active local support and community-based marketing programs are critical to the success of air service in small communities. By: US Airways, Jason Reisinger
US Airways' Support for Pennsylvania Consortium
June 26, 2007 Clearfield-Jefferson Counties Regional Airport in Support of DuBois, PA By: Paul Sekula, 814-328-5311
June 5, 2007 Frontier Airlines in Support of Greenville/Spartanburg, SC Frontier Airlines is always interested in investigating new market opportunities, particularly in the Deep South. If the Department acts favorably on this application, we too will give the Greenville/Spartanburg market equal consideration. While there can be no assurance that Frontier will begin service to GSP, the availability of SCASD finding would weigh favorably in our market evaluation. By: Frontier, Jeff Potter
Letters in Support of Myrtle Beach, SC:
May 8, 2007 City of Plattsburgh in Support of Myrtle Beach, SC I am writing this letter of support with the hope that Myrtle Beach becomes a recipient of a grant under the US DOT Small Community Air Service Development Program. I can speak personally from the inconvenience of flying to Myrtle Beach from the North Country as my family has owned a condominium in that area since 1980. The establishment of service by Myrtle Beach Direct to and from the Plattsburgh International Airport presents an excellent opportunity to further air service at both locations. I am very confident this service will be fully supported by the Plattsburgh - Montreal market which is beneficial to all involved. By: Mayor Donald Kasprzak
Letters in Support of Myrtle Beach, SC:
Letters in Support of Jackson, TN:
Letters in Support of Jackson, TN:
April 23, 2007 Support Letters for Burlington, Vermont:
April 26, 2007 Letters in Support of Burlington, Vermont:
April 27, 2007 Letters in Support of Burlington, Vermont:
April 23, 2007 Kenmore Air Express in Support of Oak Harbor, WA In conjunction with the attached grant application filed by the City of Oak Harbor, WA, Kenmore Air Express supports the plan to provide an Airport Express Shuttle service between NAS Whidbey Island and West Lupien/Oak Harbor Airport. In response to anticipated enplanement growth, Kenmore Air Express is prepared to review schedule enhancements and frequency increases to maximize passenger convenience in this market. The amount of the grant shall be sufficient to fund the elements of the application’s Action Plan for which federal funds are specifically requested. By: Kenmore, Todd Banks
Letters in Support of Oak Harbor, WA:
King County International Airport/Boeing Field Support for Oak Harbor's Application
April 24, 2007 Washington State DOT in Support of Oak Harbor, WA As the Director of Aviation for the State of Washington, I am writing you to express my support for the City of Oak Harbor's application for a Small Community Air Service Development Program grant Oak Harbor is uniquely located on Whidbey Island near the Naval Air Station, one of the largest employers in the region. The proposed grant would provide financial-support for an Airport Express Shuttle and marketing assistance for Kenmore Air which recently began air service to Oak Harbor. By: Director of Aviation, John Sibold, 360-851-6300
July 18, 2007 Seatac Shuttle in Opposition to Oak Harbor, Washington After an in depth review of the Grant Application submitted by the City it is our unequivocal evaluation that it is based on false information, skewed information and perhaps most importantly, information that was deliberately omitted. The information contained, and not contained, within the Grant Application is designed specifically to mislead and create a false picture of both the transportation environment and the effect of a small air service upon the economic climate of not only Oak Harbor but the surrounding areas within a fifty mile radius. The most glaring omission which creates a completely false impression of the transportation infrastructure of Whidbey Island and Oak Harbor is that there is an existing airport shuttle service currently serving 40,000 Oak Harbor and Whidbey Island actual passengers each year. The shuttle travel times are comparable to the proposed air van transit times, cost half as much and are available year round in all weather conditions. Last year the air service claims to have served only 6000 passengers in a much larger catchment area. Obviously the traveling and business communities know what they like and what really works in our environment. We therefore request that your office take action to verify the information contained in the application. After a careful review of the true facts we feel that you will come to the conclusion that the application be dismissed and very possibly the submitting party(s) be sanctioned. We have outlined a few of the more glaring errors and omissions; the document is so rife with problems that it would take a much more extensive elaboration to identify them all. The intent of the City is to use the grant funds to develop a privately operated shuttle originating on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, a federal reservation north of the Oak Harbor city limits with Lupien Field, a privately owned, but currently in litigation and subject to IRS liens, small airport south of Oak Harbor in the unincorporated area of Island County. The County was approached to be the applicant of the grant on behalf of Kenmore Air Express but declined. The costs to operate a shuttle are not in keeping with reality or the experiences of this shuttle company. The grant application relies on information provided by the local municipal transit to develop shuttle startup costs. The transit is a municipal corporation with no experience in private for profit operations, startup operations, the regulatory or tax requirements placed upon a private entity. In fact, the transit does not even collect fares for its service but is totally subsidized via tax support. It has no experience in fare based service and profitability. You cannot run a shuttle seven days a week, year round with one van as proposed. A minimum of two are required which doubles capital requirements, insurance costs, and fuel and maintenance expenses. The labor estimate for the hours of service is less than fifty percent of the actual costa. No provisions are made for B&O tax, federal tax, fuel and road tax, management, scheduling, phones or office space. The projected operating cost is less than one half of the actual cost to startup and operate a shuttle. Kenmore Air Express, the actual recipient of the grant funds, has recently been under investigation by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and has been found to be in apparent violation of regulations governing the transportation of passengers. In the application no provision is made for compliance, licensing or the availability of such licensing. The licensing process is costly, lengthy (months), subject to protest by other shuttle operators and limited to territories not served except in very limited circumstances. It is very unlikely that any such permit would be granted in the circumstances described in the application. By: Seatac, Michael Lauver, 360-679-4003, mike@seatacshuttle.com
July 24, 2007 West Virginia Aeronautics Commission in Support of Clarksburg, Morgantown and Parkersburg In the grant proposal submitted by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation, research is expected to include three West Virginia Communities: Clarksburg, Morgantown and Parkersburg. The data collected will be extremely beneficial to West Virginia and Pennsylvania as we continue to seek opportunities to improve air service. By: Director, Susan Chernenko, 304-558-3436 |
||