– Skywest Ribbon Cutting Jamestown Airport

Jamestown (CSi) On Friday the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority hosted a ribbon cutting and open-house to welcome its new commercial air service provider, United Express/ SkyWest.

Airport Manager Matthew Leitner emceed a program.

He said that since he became manager, three years ago, the airport and air service has advanced “Light years ahead of three years ago.”

Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, Chairman, Jim Boyd said “The region Just got larger,” with the United Express/SkyWest air service to Jamestown, noting that the new jet service is part of the airport’s strategic plan, started seven years ago with the “Jets For Jamestown Campaign.”

Governor Dalrymple said “This is a new beginning for air travel in the region and an impressive accomplishment for all the federal, state and local leaders who worked so hard to bring jet service to Jamestown and Devils Lake. Providing an efficient, reliable and affordable jet service to the region will help meet the area’s growth needs, create additional opportunities for economic and business expansion, and provide more options for leisure and business travelers both in and out of the state.” He added that Jamestown is on the verge of several years of growth a prosperity, at a manageable rate.

Senator Hoeven was unable to attend. His representative on behalf of the Senator, said that “SkyWest’s decision to add new flights in and out of Jamestown and Devils Lake stands as great news for these communities. Reliable jet service is important to the business community, the tourism industry and to the occasional traveler. Airports across North Dakota have seen increased demands and record boardings which is why we are glad to see expanded service at these airports to meet the needs of our people and growing economy.”

Also unable to attend, Senator Heitkamp’s State Director, Ryan Nagle, and Rachel Buening, the staff assistant for Rep. Kevin Cramer, read statements from them.

Mayor Andersen said the United Express/SkyWest air service is another sign of growth and progress for the city, noting that an airport is the first and last impression a traveler has of the city.

North Dakota Aeronautics Commission Director Kyle Wanner who interned at Jamestown Regional Airport, while a student at the, then, Jamestown College, praised United Express/SkyWest’s service and the airline, overall.

Wanner read a letter from the Devils Lake Airport Authority, which had its celebration of United Express/SkyWest’s new service to that city, on Thursday, in which John Nord noted the Jamestown, Devils Lake partnership in airline service.

Wanner added that, now, all eight North Dakota commercial airports have jet aircraft service.

Also speaking were Stutsman County Commission, Chariman, Mark Klose, JSDC CEO Connie Ova, Brad Rawson, director of network planning and acting-director of marketing for SkyWest Airlines and Tim Burchill, former president of the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce.

Rawson said SkyWest looks forward to a long-term partnership with Jamestown, and asked citizens in return for the service, to promote United Express/SkyWest.

Rawson presented Leiter, and Governor Dalrymple with desktop size models of the aircraft serving Jamestown, the 50 passenger Bombardier CRJ-200 jet featuring a flight attendant and restroom facilities, along with a galley.