Tue, May 13, 2008
Carrier Replaces Mesa in Essential Air Service Program
A $1.6 million contract was approved
by the US Department of Transportation last week, outlining plans
for Great Lakes Aviation to provide passenger air service to
Jonesboro, AR.
The announcement came after Mesa Air Group announced in January
it would discontinue twice-daily flights to Dallas to and from the
community. The financially strapped carrier had been operating
since 2001 under the federal government Essential Air Service
program and was the only scheduled service in and out of the
airport.
The Essential Air Service program subsidizes passenger air
service to residents in 140 rural communities across the United
States. The Jonesboro Sun reports Wyoming-based Great Lakes
Aviation and Missouri-based Multi-Aero Inc. were the only two
carriers to bid on the Jonesboro route.
The Multi-Aero bid pitched using smaller aircraft, while the
Great Lakes plan offered using the 19-seat Beech 1900 twin
turboprop aircraft; the same type of equipment used by Mesa.
The Aviation Committee of the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of
Commerce wrote a letter to federal authorities last month endorsing
Great Lakes' proposal over Multi-Aero.
"The Department of Transportation's choice of Great Lakes
Aviation to service the Jonesboro area is great news for our
community," said US Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett. "Their services
will not only allow local residents the option to fly out of an
airport closer to home, this air service advances Jonesboro's image
as a destination for companies interested in establishing their
business in the area."
Under the terms of the new contract, Great Lakes will provide
two flights a day to St. Louis, a one hour and ten minute flight
from Jonesboro.
"There are some people who are going to miss the ability to go
to Dallas" said Mayor Doug Formon. "St. Louis has a lot to offer
though. Great Lakes connects to so many other airports once you get
to St. Louis. You have your choice of going wherever you need to go
from there basically."
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