# Devils Lake
REGIONAL 

## AIRPORT January 2, 2014

Kevin Schlemmer Chief, Essential Air Service and Domestic Analysis US Department ofTransportation :'"'t

. ' ; ' 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE, W86-308 Washington, DC 20590 -. :::·**~** ::·..
.. .·:

Dear Mr. Schlemmer, 

# j

Ref: DOT-OST-1997-2785
The Devils Lake Regional Airport Authoritythanks you forthe opportunityto respond to the Essential Air Service proposals received forthe air service at the Devils Lake Regional Airport. ··::··:.-···'-·,

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We have completed our review ofthe proposals from Great Lakes, SkyWest, and Sovereign Air. We, along with inputfrom the community, have determined that SkyWest would be the best airline to fulfill the needs of Devils Lake and the surrounding area. This decision was based on thefollowing: Great Lakes Airline: Duringthe timeframe 2008 through 2011, DVL enjoyed an increase in boardings by 70% with Delta/Mesaba providingthe air service. Duringthe last two years, with Great Lakes Airline (GLA) providingthe air service, boardings in 2012 at DVL dropped by 48% with the trend continuing as 2013 boardings were 12% less than 2012. While GLA was providing more flights to Minneapolis than Delta/Mesaba (three round trips per day in lieu oftwo trips), several otherfactors cause the reduction in boardings: a smaller aircraft, problems in bookings, lack ofperks(SkyMiles), poor on time departure record, and numerousflight cancellations. The flight cancellations have increased dramatically in 2013 and we believe this problem will continue to getworse. One major impact on Great Lakes abilityto service Devils Lake has been the 1500 hourATP First Officer and Captains rule that began in August. The pilot shortage that GLA has experienced resulted in a cancellation of39 flights ofa scheduled 90flights during November. In December, GLA reduced the number ofscheduled flights per dayfrom threeto two per day, a reduction of31 flights and still cancelled an additional 22 flights. With the currenttrend ofair service at DVL, we feel that any plan that Great Lakes is workingtoward to correct their pilot shortage will not be soon enough to rectify our situat!on at DVL and we cannot supporttheir proposal. These factors all contributed to thetraveling public losing confidence in Great Lakes.

### Sovereign Air: The evaluation ofSovereign Air showed thatthey have no history ofproviding air service and it is not clear ifthey have an Operating Certificate or not. While in their proposatthey describe equipmentthatthey are planning on using, it does not appearthatthey have the equipment. They have no known association with any major carrier and no gate space at the MSP airport. We cannot supporttheir proposal. 

### SkyWest: The proposal from SkyWest utilizing a 50 seat Regional Jet with nonstop service to and from Denver is extremely appealingto our community and airport. With more than 50% of ourtravelers west bound, this will open a new market area for DVL and the surrounding communities. DVL would be the only airport in the Northeast quarterof North Dakota with direct service to Denver and should attract additional interest in our airport. Their association with a major air carrier, United Airlines, brings with them the creditability, proven dependability, and Perks that are needed to bring our airport service and consumer confidence back. We are aware that in their proposal, they offer one round trip per day, and we request that that requirementfortwo flights be waived. We believe this one flight will be very attractive service for ourairportto provide and we are excited to begin marketingthis program. We fully supporttheir proposal and requestthat SkyWest be named as the EAS providerfor DVL.
The Devils Lake Regional Airport has just completed a major construction project with a runway expansion increasingthe length ofour main runway and supporting that effortwith all new NAVAJOs. We feel that we are ready forthe future and with SkyWest/United providingthe air service and that having SkyWest/United as our providerwe will reach ourgoal ofonce again providing reliable Air Carrier service to our region.
Ifyou have any questions, or require any additional information, please feel free to contact Airport ManagerJohn Nord. Sincerely,

. ' ' / l James J. Kienast Chairman Devils Lake Regional Airport Authority



### John M. Nord 1 

### Devils Lake Regional Airport Manager 106 National Guard Street NW Devils Lake, ND 58301 701-662-5833 Email: manager@devilslakeairport.com FAX: 701-662-5133