SkywestUnitedBoydJamestown (CSi) Jamestown Regional Airport Authority Chairman, Jim Boyd is asking supporters of Jamestown airline service, specifically, UnitedExpress/Sky West to send letters to the Department of Transportation.

DOT is requesting feedback from the Jamestown community, by Wednesday April 6, 2016, as the Essential Air Service two year contract with the airline expires on June 30, 2016.

Feedback and letter of support may be addressed to and E-mailed to  scott.faulk@dot.gov

Scott Faulk – U.S. Department of Transportation – EAS & Domestic Analysis Division

In his letter requesting support, Boyd pointed out that since the EAS contract is for only 2 years, commercial air service ends June 30, 2016 so the new contract will begin July 1, 2016.

The DOT is running the contract competition and two bidders (SkyWest and Great Lakes) have submitted bids. The bids are similar in cost but their past performance is drastically different!

Boyd’s letter stated, “Two years ago, thanks to this community and our political supporters in ND and Washington DC, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) selected SkyWest Airlines, operating as United Express, to provide jet service to/from Denver which began in June 2014. SkyWest’s performance has been fantastic and we have increased our market share by 223% since Great Lakes Aviation served our community in 2013.”

The Jamestown Regional Airport is strongly recommending the selection of SkyWest because of their excellent past performance.

Feedback and letter of support may be addressed to and E-mailed to

  • scott.faulk@dot.gov
  • Scott Faulk
  • U.S. Department of Transportation
  • EAS & Domestic Analysis Division
  • 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
  • Washington, DC 20590

Boyd requests that Airport Manager, Sam Seafeldt,  and he be sent copies of letters to the DOT.

Those representing a company or organization, should mention that in the response to the DOT.

Those having or will respond to the DOT include Jamestown Travel, Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation, Jamestown Tourism, Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, ND Aeronautics Commission.

The Stutsman County Commissioners and the Jamestown City Council plans to authorize and send their letters of support early next week.

The Airport Authority also requested the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce weigh in on this important issue.

Boyd pointed out that if SkyWest, continues as the Jamestown EAS air carrier, that there is a good chance an interim target of 10,000 passengers can be reached this year, toward the ultimate goal of 15,000 passengers per year in the near future.

He added that achievement of the ultimate goal will likely get Jamestown off of the EAS program dependency.