BEFORE THE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

Essential Air Service at 

 ALPENA, MICHIGAN 

 INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA 

 SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN and 

 TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI 

Under 49 U.S.C. 41731 et seq.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

 

 Dockets DOT-OST-2009-0300 

 DOT-OST-2009-0304 

 DOT-OST-2009-0303 

 DOT-OST-2009-0305 

COMMENTS OF MESABA TO ORDER 2010-5-18 

Communications with respect to this document should be addressed to: 

 

John G. Spanjers 

President 

Mesaba Aviation, Inc. 

1000 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 200 

Eagan, MN 55121 

Maximillian T. Shemesh 

Legal Counsel 

Mesaba Aviation, Inc. 

1000 Blue Gentian Road, Suite 200 

Eagan, MN 55121 

Alexander Van der Bellen 

Managing Director – Government Affairs 

 & Associate General Counsel 

Jeff Morgan 

Regional Director – Government Affairs 

DELTA AIR LINES, INC. 

1212 New York Avenue, N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20005 

(202) 842-4184 

sascha.vanderbellen@delta.com 

May 24, 2010 

 
BEFORE THE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

Essential Air Service at 

 ALPENA, MICHIGAN 

 INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA 

 SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN and 

 TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI 

Under 49 U.S.C. 41731 et seq.

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

)

 

 Dockets DOT-OST-2009-0300 

 DOT-OST-2009-0304 

 DOT-OST-2009-0303 

 DOT-OST-2009-0305 

COMMENTS OF MESABA TO ORDER 2010-5-18 

Mesaba files these comments to clarify its understanding regarding the 

retirement of Saab 340 aircraft from its fleet. Order 2010-5-18 states that “[Mesaba] 

noted on November 18, 2009 that it would retire its fleet of Saab 340 aircraft, the only 

aircraft contemplated in its proposals, within two to three years.” (page 2). Current 

plans are in fact for the Saab 340 aircraft to be retired before the end of the proposed 

rate period. This equipment retirement will affect all EAS communities now served with 

Saabs. 

Mesaba agreed with the staff that Mesaba will file notice with the Department of 

the termination of Saab service 180 days in advance of the service change. The 

Department will then re-bid the service. The Department may select from among 

competing proposals, or, if none are received, enter into negotiations with Mesaba to set 

reasonable rates based on the use of regional jet aircraft. Under the agreed procedures, 

Mesaba will not be compensated for regional jet service based on the Saab rates set by 

Order 2010-5-18 beyond the 180-day notice period or the expiration of the contract, 

whichever comes first. 
Comments of Mesaba 

Page 2 

 

 Respectfully submitted,

_________________________________ 

Alexander Van der Bellen 

Managing Director, Government Affairs 

 & Associate General Counsel 

DELTA AIR LINES, INC. 
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 

 A copy of the foregoing document has been served this 24th day of May, 2010, 

upon the following persons via email: 

 

CarolS@Alpena.mi.us

BilliMcRoberts@Alpenacounty.org 

cityclerk@Sault.com

CCEDC@Sault.com

Noeledc@lighthouse.net

ShawnM@ci.international-falls.mn.us

sabaratono@midco.net

Mayor@CI.Tupelo.ms.us 

Taa@FlyTupelo.com

rob@seaportair.com

Bob@Sovereignairinc.com

 Amy.martin@delta.com 

 Karen.R.Zachary@delta.com 

John.Spanjers@mesaba.com

Dennis.DeVany@dot.gov

 Kevin.Adams@dot.gov