Order: 2010-3-16 

Served: March 12, 2010 

^^^1^ . UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

Issued by the Department of Transportation 

on the 12* day of March, 2010 

Essential Air Service at 

BECKLEY, WEST VIRGINIA 

CLARKSBURG/FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA 

MORGANTOWN, WEST VIRGINIA 

PARKERSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA/ 

MARIETTA, OfflO 

Under 49 U.S.C. 41731 e/ seq. 

Docket DOT-OST-1997-2761 

Docket DOT-OST-2005-20736 

Docket DOT-OST-2005-20735 

Docket DOT-OST-2005-20734 

ORDER REQUESTING PROPOSALS AND SYNCHRONIZING 

CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATES 

Summary 

By this Order, the Department is requesting proposals from air carriers interested in providing 

essential air service (EAS) at Beckley, Clarksburg/Fairmont, and Morgantown, West Virginia 

and/or Parkersburg, West Virginia/Marietta, Ohio, for a new two-year period, beginning 

August 1, 2010, with or without subsidy. Proposals are due April 19, 2010. (See Appendix A 

for a service area map.) 

To synchronize the current contract expiration dates at all the above captioned conmiunities, we 

are also extending the subsidy rates at Clarksburg/Fairmont and Morgantown through July 31, 

2010. 
- 2 -

Background 

By a series of Orders' the Department selected Colgan Air, Inc., doing business as United 

Express ("Colgan") to provide subsidized EAS at all four West Virginia communities listed 

above. All service is provided to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) using 34-

passenger Saab 340 aircraft. Colgan was selected to serve Clarksburg/Fairmont and 

Morgantown with 18 nonstop or one-stop round trips per week for the two-year period from 

June 1,2008, through May 31,2010, at a combined annual subsidy rate of $2,116,650. Colgan 

was selected to serve Beckley and Parkersburg/Marietta with 12 round trips per week for each 

community for the two-year period from August 1, 2008, through July 31, 2010, at annual 

subsidy rates of $2,092,844, and $2,190,281, respectively. 

Request for Proposals 

In order to attract as many potential applicants as possible, we find that good cause exists to put 

all four communities on the same time cycle. 

As the end of the contract period approaches for Beckley and Parkersburg/Marietta on July 31, we 

are now requesting proposals for service to begin on August 1. By extending the service period of 

Clarksburg/Fairmont and Morgantown, we are also requesting proposals for service to begin on 

August 1. Carriers interested in filing proposals, with or without subsidy requests, should file them 

no later than April 19, 2010. After that date, our staff will docket proposals, thereby making them 

public, and direct each carrier to serve a copy of its proposal on the civic parties and other 

applicants. Shortly afterwards, we will provide a summary of the proposals to the community and 

ask them to submit their final comments. We will give fiall consideration to all proposals that are 

timely filed. ^ 

Interested carriers should prepare their proposals with every expectation that their initial proposals 

will represent their final and only proposals. However, we retain the discretion to negotiate 

proposals with carriers when we deem it desirable; in such cases, of course, we will give all 

applicants the same opportunity. We also retain the discretion to reject outright all unreasonable or 

unrealistic proposals and solicit a new round of proposals. However, negotiation or rejections are 

only occasional exceptions to the rule. 

We are here providing interested carriers with some basic information to serve as guidance when 

they prepare their proposals, but we will not prescribe a precise format for their proposals. We 

expect proposals to adequately describe the service being proposed and the annual amount of 

subsidy being requested. The applicants can make their own judgments as to the level of detail 

they wish to present; however, they might want to include proposed schedules as well as 

supporting data for their subsidy requests, such as projected block hours, revenues and expenses. 

1 Order 2008-6-14, June 13, 2008, for Beckley, Order 2008-5-37, May 27,2008, for Clarksburg/Fairmont and 

Morgantown, Order 2008-7-22, July 17,2008 for Parkersburg/Marietta. 

2 Carriers should not expect the Department to accept late filings. In cases where a carrier proposes to provide 

essential air service without subsidy and we determine that service can be reliably provided without such 

compensation, we do not proceed with the carrier-selection case. Instead, we simply rely on that carrier's subsidyfree service as proposed. 
- 3 -

We strongly encourage clear, well-documented proposals that will facilitate their evaluation by 

the affected communities and the Department.^ 

With respect Clarksburg/Fairmont and Morgantown, we expect proposals consisting of service 

that is comparable to the existing service, namely two-pilot, twin-engine aircraft with 30 to 37 

passenger seats, and offering three round trips on a linear basis or an upline or downline 

community (18 total per week), each weekday and each weekend to Charlotte, Cleveland, 

Detroit, Washington Dulles, or another suitable hub where connections to the national air 

transportation system can be made. Altematively, we would consider two round trips each 

weekday and weekend with 30 to 37-seat aircraft for each if they are served independently. If 

19-seat aircraft are proposed, we would consider subsidizing a fourth round trip if the 

communities are served together on a linear routing. 

For Beckley, we expect proposals consisting of service that is comparable to the existing service 

(two-pilot, twin-engine aircraft with 30 to 37 passenger seats), and offering two round trips each 

weekday and each weekend (a total of 12 per week) to Charlotte, Cleveland, Washington Dulles, 

or another suitable hub where connections to the national air transportation system can be made. 

For proposals serving Beckley with 30 to 37-seat aircraft, the service should be linked with 

another community, either upline or downline. If any carriers propose to serve Beckley 

independently, we would be inclined to subsidize two round trips each weekday and weekend 

using 19-seat aircraft because fraffic levels do not justify more than two round trips per day or 

larger aircraft. 

For Parkersburg/Marietta, the community has indicated it is interested in three or more round 

trips each weekday and weekend. Proposals should consist of two-pilot, twin-engine aircraft 

offering service to Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Washington Dulles, or another suitable hub 

where numerous connecting opportunities are available to access the national air transportation 

system. If 30 to 37-seat aircraft are proposed, two nbnstops each weekday and weekend (a total 

of 12 per week) are expected. Three nonstops each weekday and weekend using 30 to 37-seat 

aircraft (a total of 18 per week) may be proposed if some of the round trips also serve an upline 

or downline community. If 19-seat aircraft are proposed, we expect four nonstop roxmd trips 

each weekday and weekend (a total of 24 per week). 

If aircraft with fewer than 15 passenger seats are contemplated, service patterns should consist of 

nonstop service between the community and the proposed hub airport with the following number 

of frequencies: Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown and Parkersburg/Marietta, a minimum of 5 

round trips each weekday and weekend (a total of 30 per week); Beckley, a minimum of 3 round 

trips each weekday and weekend (a total of 18 total per week). If a proposal offering aircraft 

3 In selecting a carrier to provide subsidized essential air service, 49 U.S.C. 41733(c) (1) directs us to consider four 

factors. (1) service reliability; (2) contractual and marketing arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub; (3) 

interline arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub; and (4) community views. In addition. Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-161, provides that when selecting a carrier to provide EAS, the 

Department may consider the relative subsidy requirements, thus codifying a factor that we have considered since 

the inception of the program. Interested carriers should also be aware that our general provisions governing 

essential air service will be included in the selection order as part of our authorization of subsidy for the selected 

service. Appendix C of this order contains those general provisions. 
- 4 -

fewer than 15 seats is submitted and the community/communities ultimately support the service, 

in effect waiving their right to 15-seat or larger aircraft, we would consider the waiver to apply 

only to the two-year carrier-selection at hand, i.e. we would not assume that the community 

waives their rights for all time. Of course, as always, we will formally solicit the community's 

views on any service options we receive before making a long-term carrier selection decision. 

Communities and air carriers are encouraged to work together in advance of the due date for 

proposals to craft a service pattern that is desirable to the community and meets the operational 

requirements of the airline interested in submitting a proposal. In addition, carriers should be 

very clear as to whether a specific community's proposal is a stand-alone option, or whether it is 

part of a larger, inseparable package and connected to other communities. 

We encourage proposals that meet those requirements in an efficient manner. Carriers are also 

welcome to propose more than one service option, if they choose; they need not limit themselves 

to those requirements if they envision other, potentially more atfractive service possibilities— 

different hubs, for example—^with subsidy requirements that remain competitive. 

New Filing Procedures 

Carrier proposals should be submitted to the Department with all materials merged into a single 

document. The document will be published on Regulations.gov and each page should be 

formatted to be viewed online. 

Service and Traffic History 

During the year ended September 30, 2009, the most recent period for which fraffic data are 

available, Beckley averaged 8.1 enplanements a day, Clarksburg/Fairmont 21.2, Morgantown 33.1, 

and Parkersburg 15.6.^* We note that passenger traffic is up significantly over the past several years. 

In order to assist carriers in making their fraffic and revenue forecasts, we have included historical 

traffic data in Appendix B. 

Other Carrier Requirements 

The Department is responsible for implementing various Federal statutes goveming lobbying 

activities, drug-free workplaces, and nondiscrimination. ^ Consequently, all carriers receiving 

Federal subsidy for essential air service must certify that they are in compliance with Department 

regulations regarding drug-free workplaces and nondiscrimination, and those carriers whose 

subsidies exceed $100,000 over the life of the rate term must also certify that they are in 

compliance with the regulations goveming lobbying activities. Because the Department is 

prohibited from paying subsidy to carriers that do not submit these documents, all carriers that 

plan to submit proposals involving subsidy should be aware that the selected carrier will be 

"* See Appendix B for historical traffic data. Enplanements represent one-half of total origin-and-destination traffic, 

and average enplanements per day are based on 313 service days per year, except as noted. 

^ The regulations applicable to these areas are: (1) 49 CFR Part 20 - New restrictions on lobbying; (2) 49 CFR Part 

21 - Nondiscrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation - Effectuation of title VI 

of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR Part 27 - Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in programs and 

activities receiving or benefiting from Federal financial assistance; and 14 CFR Part 382 - Nondiscrimination on the 

basis of disability in air travel; and (3) 49 CFR Part 29 - Goverrunent-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement) and government-wide requirements for drug-free workplace (grants). 
-5 

required to complete the required certifications. Interested carriers requiring more detailed 

information regarding these requirements should contact the Office of Aviation Analysis at 

(202) 366-5903.6 

Community Comments 

The commimities and state are welcome to submit comments on the proposals at any time. As 

noted earlier, however, we will provide a summary of the proposals to the civic parties and ask 

them to submit their final comments shortly after April 19, the due date for proposals. 

ACCORDINGLY, 

1. We request that carriers interested in providing essential air service at Beckley, 

Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown, West Virginia and/or Parkersburg, West Virginia/Marietta, 

Ohio, from August 1,2010 through July 31, 2012, submit their proposals, with or without 

requests for subsidy, no later than April 19, 2010. The proposals should be e-mailed to 

EAS@dot.gov, with the title: "Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at Beckley, 

Clarksburg/Fairmont, Morgantown, and/or Parkersburg, West Virginia/Marietta, Ohio, with the 

corresponding docket number found on page 1 of this order; ' 

2. We extend the subsidy rates set by Order 2008-5-37 for Clarksburg/Fairmont and 

Morgantown, West Virginia, that were due to expire on May 31,2010, through July 31, 2010; 

3. These dockets will remain open until further order of the Department; and 

6 The certifications are also available on the web at http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/index.html. 

^ Questions regarding filings in response to this order may be directed via e-mail to Kevin Schlemmer at 

kevin.schlenimerfatdot.gov or via phone at (202) 366-3176. 
- 6 -

4. We will serve copies of this order on the mayors of the cities of Beckley, Clarksburg, 

Fairmont, Morgantown, and Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Marietta, Ohio, the airport 

managers of Raleigh County Memorial Airport (Beckley), North Cenfral West Virginia Regional 

Airport (Clarksburg/Fairmont), Morgantown Municipal Airport (Morgantown), and Mid-Ohio 

Valley Regional Airport (Parkersburg/Marietta), and the parties listed in Appendix D. 

By: 

SUSAN L. KURLAND 

Assistant Secretary for Aviation 

and Intemational Affairs 

(SEAL) 

An electronic version of this document is available on the Internet at http://www.re2ulations.zov 
Appendix A 

AREA MAP 

This map is provided by Sabre® AirVisioti^^ Profit Essentials and is being used with express permission of the 

copyright holder, Sabre Airline Solutions®. 
Traffic History* 

Beckley, WV (BKW) 

Appendix B 

Page I of4 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

BKW 

Year 

2006 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2009 

2009 

2009 

Quarter 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

Inbound Pax 

544 

554 

508 

638 

802 

675 

799 

681 

683 

435 

564 

580 

Outbound pax 

725 

776 

801 

782 

838 

878 

963 

874 

827 

665 

733 

589 

12 month 

total 

Totals 

1,269 

1,330 

1,309 

1,420 

1,640 

1,553 

1,762 

1,555 

1,510 

1,100 

1,297 

1.169 

5,076 

Average daily enplanements at Beckley -8. 1 ** 

•Source - T-lOO Market Report, Passengers in Scheduled Passenger Service, includes traffic for Colgan 

Air, Inc. 

**Average daily enplanements is total traffic for the most 12-month period (5,076), divided by 313 service 

days per year, divided by 2. 
Traffic History* 

Clarksburg/Fairmont, WV (CKB) 

Appendix B 

Page 2 of4 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

CKB 

Year 

2006 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2009 

2009 

2009 

Quarter 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

Inbound 

Pax 

729 

290 

573 

961 

884 

1,184 

1,199 

1,339 

1,256 

1,132 

1,605 

1,884 

Outbound 

pax 

741 

263 

651 

1,024 

12 month 

total 

917 

1,550 

1,911 

2,111 

12 month 

total 

1,881 

1,823 

1,851 

1,837 

12 month 

total 

Totals 

1,470 

553 

1,224 

1,985 

5,232 

1,801 

2,734 

3,110 

3,450 

11,095 

3,137 

2,955 

3,456 

3,721 

13,269 

Average daily enplanements at Clarksburg/Fairmont - 21.2 ** 

•Source - T-lOO Market Report, Passengers in Scheduled Passenger Service, includes traffic for 

RegionsAir (4Q2006 and 1Q2007) and Colgan Air, Inc. (1Q2007 - 3Q2009). 

••Average daily enplanements is total traffic for the most 12-month period (13,269 for CKB), divided by 

313 service days per year, divided by 2. 
Traffic History* 

Morgantown, WV (MGW) 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

MGW 

Year 

2006 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2009 

2009 

2009 

Quarter 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

Inbound Pax 

1,038 

346 

688 

1,401 

1,227 

1,424 

1,820 

2,231 

2,328 

2,176 

2,547 

2,668 

Outboimd pax 

1,258 

327 

796 

1,397 

12 month 

total 

1,443 

1,948 

2,502 

2,864 

12 month 

total 

3,057 

2,708 

2,781 

2,462 

12 month 

total 

Totals 

2,296 

673 

1,484 

2,798 

7,251 

2,670 

3,372 

4,322 

5,095. 

15,459 

5,385 

4,884 

5,328 

5,130 

20,727 

Appendix B 

Page 3 of4 

Average daily enplanements at Morgantown - 33.1 

•Soiu-ce - T-lOO Market Report, Passengers in Scheduled Passenger Service, includes traffic for 

RegionsAir (4Q2006 and 1Q2007) and Colgan Air, Inc. (1Q2007 - 3Q2009). 

••Average daily enplanements is total traffic for the most 12-month period (20,727), divided by 313 

service days per year, divided by 2. 
Traffic History* 

Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH (PKB) 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

PKB 

Year 

2006 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2007 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2008 

2009 

2009 

2009 

Quarter 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

3 

Inbound Pax 

1,444 

409 

939 

1,548 

1,427 

1,473 

1,552 

1,040 

1,196 

1,113 

1,278 

1,334 

Outbound oax 

1,441 

339 

942 

1,502 

12 month total 

1,420 

1,553 

1,580 

980 

12 month total 

1,115 

1,148 

1,229 

1,330 

12 month total 

Totals 

2,885 

748 

1,881 

3,050 

8,564 

2,847 

3,026 

3,132 

2,020 

11,025 

2,311 

2,261 

2,507 

2,664 

9,743 

Average daily enplanements at Parkersburg - 15.6 

Appendix B 

Page 4 of4 

•Source - T-lOO Market Report, Passengers in Scheduled Passenger Service, includes traffic for 

RegionsAir (4Q2006 and 1Q2007) and Colgan Air, Inc. (1Q2007 - 3Q2009). 

••Average daily enplanements is total traffic for the most 12-month period (9,743), divided by 313 service 

days per year, divided by 2. 
Appendix C 

Example of General Terms and Conditions for Essential Air Service 

The carrier understands that it may forfeit its compensation for any flights that it does not 

operate in conformance with the terms and stipulations of the rate order, including the 

service plans outlined in the order and any other significant elements of the required 

service, without prior approval. The carrier understands that an aircraft take-off and 

landing at its scheduled destination constitutes a completed flight; absent an explanation 

supporting subsidy eligibility for a flight that has not been completed, such as certain 

weather cancellations, only completed flights are considered eligible for subsidy. In 

addition, if the carrier does not schedule or operate its flights in full conformance with the 

order for a significant period, it may jeopardize its entire subsidy claim for the period in 

question. If the carrier contemplates any such changes beyond the scope of the order 

during the applicable period of these rates, it must first notify the Office of Aviation 

Analysis in writing and receive written approval from the Department to be ensured of 

full compensation. Should circumstances warrant, the Department may locate and select 

a replacement carrier to provide service on these routes. The carrier must complete all 

flights that can be safely operated; flights that overfly points for lack of traffic will not be 

compensated. In determining whether subsidy payment for a deviating flight should be 

adjusted or disallowed, the Department will consider the extent to which the goals of the 

program are met and the extent of access to the national air transportation system 

provided to the community. 

If the Department unilaterally, either partially or completely, terminates or reduces payments for 

service or changes service requirements at a specific location provided for under this order, then, 

at the end of the period for which the Department does make payments in the stipulated amounts 

or at the stipulated service levels, the carrier may cease to provide service to that specific location 

without regard to any requirement for notice of such cessation. Those adjustments in the levels of 

subsidy and/or service that are mutually agreed to in writing by the Department and carrier do not 

constitute a total or partial reduction or cessation of payment. 

Funds are not currently available for performance under this solicitation beyond [DATE]. 

The Government's obligation for performance under this solicitation beyond [DATE], is 

contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds fi-om which payment for services 

can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise 

for performance under this order beyond [DATE], until funds are made available to the 

Department for performance. If funds are not made available for performance beyond 

[DATE], the carrier will receive notice in writing by the Department. 

Subsidy contracts are subject to, and incorporate by reference, relevant statutes and 

Department regulations, as they may be amended from time to time. However, any such 

statutes, regulations, or amendments thereto shall not operate to controvert the foregoing 

paragraph. 

All claims for payment must be submitted within 60 days of the last day of service 

provided imder this order. 
Appendix D 

Scheduled Air Carriers, Contiguo 

Air Sunshine, Inc. 

Air Simshine, Mirmohanunad Adili 

Air West, Inc., John Raatz 

Air Wisconsin, Annette Daly 

Airline Associates, Bill Mishk 

Alaska Airlines, Jeff Cole 

Alaska Airlines, Sandy Sinick 

Allegiant Air, Robert Ashscroft 

American Airlines, Carl Nelson 

American Eagle, Jeffrey Hartz 

Atlantic Southeast, Jon Lindlief 

Atlantis Southeast, Roger Weston 

Bemidji Aviation, Cori Rude 

Bemidji Aviation, Arlen Rinkenberger 

Cape Air, Andrew Bonney 

Cape Air, Dan Wolf 

Cape Air, J. Flaherty 

Classic Aviation, Tony Henderson 

Colgan Air, Mike Colgan 

CommutAir, Andy Price 

CommutAir, Joel Raymond 

Consultant, Robert Silverberg 

Continental, Bruce Keiner 

Continental, Dan Weiss 

Continental, Lorry Halloway 

Delta, Amy Martin 

Delta, Dan Shuman 

Delta, Jeff Morgan 

Delta, Joe Esposito 

Delta, Karen Zachary 

Delta, Sascha Vanderbellen 

Dorado Jets 

Dorado Jets, Mark McKeima 

Era Aviation, Mike Lenorman 

Executive Airlines, Kate Soled 

Frontier Flying, Bob Hajducovich 

Gem Air, Dan Schroeder 

Gem Air, JoAnn Wolters 

Great Lakes, Chuck Howell 

Great Lakes, Doug Voss 

Great Lakes, Greg Stephens 

Gulfstream, Dave Hackett 

Gulfstream, Mickey Bowman 

Gulfstream, T. Cooper 

Homeland Security, David Bemier 

Homeland Security, Randy Webb 

Horizon Air, Dan Russo 

Horizon Air, Jennifer Thompson 

Horizon Air, Jeff Cole 

ICEPR, Luis Irizarry 

Island Air Charters, Linda House 

us US and Puerto Rico 

Jet Air, Daniel Wolford 

Kenmore Air, Tim Brooks 

McCall Aviation and Salmon Air, Dan Scott 

McCall Aviation, Michelle 

Mesa, Jonathan Omstein 

Mesa, Michael Lotz 

Mesa, Mike Holcomb 

Mesaba, John Spanjers 

Mesaba, Max Shemesh 

Midstar Airlines, Jeffrey Fonner 

Midwest Airlines, Anthony Intravia 

Midwest Airlines, Greg Aretakis 

Midwest Airlines, J.C. Augustson 

MN Aviation, Jose Maldonado 

Multi Aero, Damea 

Multi Aero, Shane Storz 

Northwest, Tim McDonald 

NYDC, Henok Araya 

OST, Brian Swanson 

OST, Dennis DeVany 

OST, Kevin Adams 

OST, Kevin Schlemmer 

OST, Michael Martin 

OST, Renee Williams 

Pacific Wings, Frank Ford 

Pacific Wings, Greg Kahlstorf 

PenAir, Danny Seybert 

PenAir, Scott Bloomquist 

Pinnacle Airlines, Joe Williams 

Pinnacle Airlines, Phil Reed 

Public Charters, Jim Gallagher 

Scenic, Mary Schneider 

Scenic, Mitzi Daines 

Seaborne Airlines, Wayne D'Amico 

SeaPort Airlines, Jim Day 

SeaPort Airlines, Rob McKinney 

Shuttle America, Jerry Balsano 

SkyWest, Eric Christensen 

SkyWest, Michael Thompson 

Sovereign Air, Bob Kams 

Sovereign Air, Lois R. Barton 

Tradewind, Eric Zipkin 

TransStates, Fred Oxley 

TransStates, Gerry Wigmore 

United, Alicia Gabriel 

United, James Stames 

US Airways, Benjamin Slocum 

US Airways, Howard Kass 

US Airways, Jason Reisinger 

Warbelows Air Ventures, Art Warbelow 

Wings Air (Air Greco), Aaron Goerlich