JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Skywest Airlines, an airline service provider for Jamestown and Devils Lake, has issued a 90-day termination notice for airports they service.
The service has provided daily flights between Devils Lake, Jamestown, and Denver since 2014, and is contractually obligated through the US Department of Transportation (DOT) until June 30, 2023.
“It comes down to pilot shortages,” Jamestown Regional Airport Manager Katie Hemmer stated. “This is the process for Skywest because they can’t meet the contractual obligation and route demands for the airports they contract with.”
Skywest Airlines in 2020 signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) through June 30th, 2023. The airline’s request to end service was made to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal agency will now solicit bids from carriers interested in providing service to the Jamestown and Devils Lake market.
While the news isn’t good, Hemmer added this is just a step-process.
“Skywest Airlines could very well hire enough pilots and continue serving past the 90 day window,” she added. “They will continue to provide service after this termination notice so those who have recent flights will not be affected.”
The airline is pulling service from more than 25 other airports along with Jamestown Regional Airport and Devils Lake Regional Airport.
Below is a statement provided to NewsDakota from officials at Skywest Airlines:
“As a result of an ongoing pilot staffing imbalance across the industry, SkyWest expects to discontinue service in Jamestown and Devils Lake beginning this summer. SkyWest has long been a supporter of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and the critical need it fills in our national transportation infrastructure. We appreciate our partnerships and the support of these communities, and we are committed to delivering a solid, reliable product to each of them through this transition. Our ground staff at these locations will be offered various options, including transfers within the company. Customers booked beyond the service date will be contacted to make alternate arrangements.
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, and we are committed to remaining flexible and adjusting our plans if the situation improves more quickly than currently expected.”