Local Officials To Meet In D.C. To Support EAS

Sen. Hedi Heitkamp (D) North Dakota

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (CSi)  U.S. Senators Heidi Heitkamp and John Hoeven, as well as Congressman Kevin Cramer, made a strong case to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for regular and dependable air service to Devils Lake and Jamestown Regional Airports.

The delegation also addressed potential concerns that have been raised regarding the approval of Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts that provide reliable service for Jamestown and Devils Lake. EAS often supports economic development and job creation by enabling businesses to more easily access rural communities.

Additionally, on Monday, January 27, 2014,  Heitkamp and Hoeven will host Susan Kurland, DOT Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, in Heitkamp’s office to discuss recent challenges regarding the current air service to the communities and express their interest in a reliable service being approved for the communities. A representative from Congressman Kevin Cramer’s office will also attend the meeting. Devils Lake Mayor Richard Johnson and Jamestown Mayor Katie Andersen, along with the communities’ airport authority leadership, will participate in the meeting as well.

“Both Devils Lake and Jamestown have experienced numerous problems with their current EAS contract, and have communicated an interest in pursuing a new route option to Denver, which will provide a competitive option for customers. Because there are fewer regular routes to Denver from North Dakota, the airports would be well positioned to attract ridership to the nearest major western hub and subsequent connecting cities,” the Delegation wrote to Secretary Foxx.

A full copy of the letter sent from the delegation follows:

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary

U.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx:

We write to express our support for the communities’ preferred bids for Essential Air Service (EAS) to Devils Lake Regional Airport, Devils Lake, North Dakota and Jamestown Regional Airport, Jamestown, North Dakota.

Both Devils Lake and Jamestown have experienced numerous problems with their current EAS contract, and have communicated an interest in pursuing a new route option to Denver, which will provide a competitive option for customers. Because there are fewer regular routes to Denver from North Dakota, the airports would be well positioned to attract ridership to the nearest major western hub and subsequent connecting cities.

We want to specifically address two concerns with the preferred bids. The first is the increase in costs per passenger. We recognize that budgetary pressures on the EAS program require the Department of Transportation (DOT) to be discerning with the allocation of resources; however, we believe an up-front investment in the preferred EAS bids will yield much higher dividends for the program and the communities. With the increased attractiveness of the route option, paired with more reliable service, we are hopeful the popularity of the communities’ preferred bids will result in increased ridership and allow the subsidy cost to fall in future contract periods.

Second, concerns have been raised that the communities’ preferred EAS bids fall short of the 12 round trip EAS requirement. We request that you waive this requirement to allow consideration of the EAS bids. The communities have made abundantly clear in their communications with the DOT that they will accept a lower number of round trips in exchange for more reliable service. The preferred EAS bids to Devils Lake and Jamestown would provide daily service, strongly fulfilling the DOT’s mandate to provide the EAS communities with access to the national air transportation system.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue. If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact our offices for assistance.

Sincerely,

JOHN HOEVEN                      HEIDI HEITKAMP                     KEVIN CRAMER

U.S. Senator                               U.S. Senator                                  U.S. Congressman