LARAMIE REGIONAL 

AIRPORT 

.555 General Brees Road •laramie, Wyoming 82070 • Officet (307) 742~4164 • FAX: 742 .. 3303 • skinner@laramieairport.com 

June 13, 2012 

Michael Martin 

Transportation Industry Analyst 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

US Department of Transportation 

400 Seventh Street, S.W. 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

RE: USDOT Essential Air Service Bids for laramie, Wyoming 

Dear Mr. Martin: 

h.) 

TJ 

j"-,) 

0 

After reviewing the proposals from Great lakes Aviation (GLA) and SkyWest Airlines to provide Essential 

Air Service (EAS) to Laramie, Wyoming it is the laramie Regional Airport Board's {LRAB) desire to voice 

our strong support for SkyWest Airlines. We are certain that SkyWest provides us with the only 

marketing opportunity to increase boardings to a level that would no longer require an EAS subsidy .. our 

experience with GLA indicates this would not be possible because of the poor service resulting in 

continually declining boardings. We feel SkyWest's proposal provides the citizens of Laramie and the 

surrounding communities with .the best option to connect to the nation's air transportation system 

through Denver tnternational Airport {DlA). 

Recent WVOOT Aeronautics leakage studies have indicated substantial losses in the number of potential 

passenger boardings for laramie in the last several years. GLA's reliability has dropped off in the last 

several years and has adversely affected business travel in and out of Laramie. These travelers have lost 

confidence In GLA and are now driving to DIA. The LRAB and community leaders are unanimous In their 

desire to work closely with SkyWest to rebuild public confidence in the air serVIce at Laramie. 

SkyWest already has a presence In Wyoming and are operating with great satisfaction in these 

communities. SkyWest's proposal offers the flying public better opportunities and more available seats 

to connect with the bank of national and international flights at OIA. We also recognize that SkyWest's 

proposal includes a reduction in fares for our customers compared to the current carrier, GLA. We are 

excited about the opportunity SkyWest offers our customers In enhanced service and amenities on the 

aircraft. 
Quality air service is essential to our community and the service offered by SkyWest provides the best 

overall option for air service in the Laramie community. Not only does it provide quality of life to the 

citizens of Laramie, but also !s a great tool in recruiting new businesses and also is important for the 

University of Wyoming {UW) and Wyoming Technical Institute (WyoTech). UW is the only four year 

university in the State of Wyoming and WyoTech Is a nationally recognized automotiVe training center. 

These institutions have thousands of students and faculty that rely heavily upon quality and reliable air 

service. 

LRAB is excited about the opportunity to work with, market, and support SkyWest Airlines as Laramie's 

air carrier. 

Thank you for considering our comments. 

Sincerely, 

The laramie Regional Airport Board 

_j 

John Williams 

Cc: Mr. Dennis DeVany, USDOT Essential Air Service 

Mr. Dennis Byrne, WVOOT Aeronautics 

Wes Bressler 

~.::_.~~::~~- Tim Stamp ... 'i