Airport Alert: DOT Issues Order Prohibiting SkyWest from Terminating Service to 29 EAS Communities
March 11, 2022
The Department of Transportation issued an order March 11 prohibiting SkyWest from terminating Essential Air Service to 29 communities in 15 states. The move comes a day after the carrier notified the agency of its intent to terminate service to those communities in 90 days.
In the response, DOT indicated that it is prohibiting SkyWest from terminating EAS to all 29 communities and requiring the carrier to continue providing service until the agency finds a replacement carrier. The agency points out that SkyWest's plans would leave all communities without EAS, requiring the agency to issue a so-called 'hold-in' order.
'SkyWest's proposed termination of service would cause all 29 communities to be left with no EAS at the conclusion of the 90-day hold-in period,' the order states. 'Therefore, the Department is required … to prohibit SkyWest from terminating such service at the end of its 90-day notice period on June 8, 2022.'
The order indicates that DOT 'will require SkyWest to continue to maintain the level of service required under the relevant selection orders for additional 30-day periods until a replacement air carrier commences full EAS at the community.' The agency also warns that it may take enforcement actions if the carrier fails to comply with its minimum service requirements.
The DOT order also requests proposals from carriers that may be interested 'in providing EAS at any or all 29 communities, with subsidy support if necessary, for a new contract period beginning within 60 or 90 days after an air carrier selection order is issued.' Whether other carriers will be interested in providing service to all of the communities on the SkyWest list remains to be seen.
SkyWest indicated that it would prefer to continue providing EAS to the 29 communities. However, the carried informed DOT that the 'pilot staffing challenges across the airline industry preclude us from doing so.' The notice that SkyWest issued yesterday and the list of impacted communities may be viewed here.
The Department of Transportation issued an order March 11 prohibiting SkyWest from terminating Essential Air Service to 29 communities in 15 states. The move comes a day after the carrier notified the agency of its intent to terminate service to those communities in 90 days.
In the response, DOT indicated that it is prohibiting SkyWest from terminating EAS to all 29 communities and requiring the carrier to continue providing service until the agency finds a replacement carrier. The agency points out that SkyWest's plans would leave all communities without EAS, requiring the agency to issue a so-called 'hold-in' order.
'SkyWest's proposed termination of service would cause all 29 communities to be left with no EAS at the conclusion of the 90-day hold-in period,' the order states. 'Therefore, the Department is required … to prohibit SkyWest from terminating such service at the end of its 90-day notice period on June 8, 2022.'
The order indicates that DOT 'will require SkyWest to continue to maintain the level of service required under the relevant selection orders for additional 30-day periods until a replacement air carrier commences full EAS at the community.' The agency also warns that it may take enforcement actions if the carrier fails to comply with its minimum service requirements.
The DOT order also requests proposals from carriers that may be interested 'in providing EAS at any or all 29 communities, with subsidy support if necessary, for a new contract period beginning within 60 or 90 days after an air carrier selection order is issued.' Whether other carriers will be interested in providing service to all of the communities on the SkyWest list remains to be seen.
SkyWest indicated that it would prefer to continue providing EAS to the 29 communities. However, the carried informed DOT that the 'pilot staffing challenges across the airline industry preclude us from doing so.' The notice that SkyWest issued yesterday and the list of impacted communities may be viewed here.
