SkyWest dropping EAS flights to 29 cities
Regional airline SkyWest is completely cutting Essential Air Services to 29 cities, citing pilot shortage issues.
The airline filed a formal 90-day termination notice as required.
Essential Air Service (EAS) is subsidy-backed program guaranteeing airlift to small communities that are not on their own financially viable.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are EAS flights to 115 cities in 48 different states.
“As a result of an ongoing pilot staffing imbalance across the industry, SkyWest expects to discontinue service in several markets beginning this summer,” the airline said in a statement.
“SkyWest has long been a supporter of the Essential Air Service program and the critical need it fills in our national transportation infrastructure.”
“We are eager to work with officials toward solutions that would enable us to reconnect these communities to the National Air Transportation System in the future.”
The airline hasn’t disclosed exactly when flights will end, although a few airports said SkyWest will continue flying until an alternative airline is able to take over.
Affected cities include Decatur, Illinois, North Platte, Nebraska, Clarksburg, West Virginia, Meridian, Mississippi, Fort Dodge, Iowa, Paducah, Kentucky and Dodge City, Kansas.
Ray Monty
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