/lEtTER# !VE8RIIt/Cif REq!O!VIIf AIRPORT. · · · 

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250023 AIRPORT TERMINAL STREET,.SJEJQ\ ,.,. _ 

SCOTTSBLUFF, NE 69361-7627 

OFFICE: 308-635-4941 

866-635-4941 

FAX: 308-632-7361 

www. flvscottsbluff .com 

October 27,2014 

Mr. Michael F. Martin 

United States Department ofTransportation 

1200 New Jersey Ave., SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

RE: EAS Docket OST-2003-14535 

Dear Mr. Martin: 

We are in receipt of the Essential Air Service (EAS) bids that were submitted to us on 

October 9, 2014. The Board of the Airport Authority of Scotts Bluff County (Western Nebraska 

Regional Airport) and I have reviewed the bids and our comments are stated below. 

Bidder one is Aerodynamics Inc. (ADI) which has submitted a bid in the amount of 

$3,604,187.00 using an Embraer 145. This 50 seat jet, at 12 flights per week, more than allows 

us the capability to make our annual enplanements which they have calculated at 21,988. They 

will overnight at Scottsbluff which will ensure us that if at all possible we will have a flight each 

morning. 

The second bidder, Boutique, is not a qualified bidder for us at this time without a waiver 

due to the type of aircraft in its bid process, a single engine Pilatus. 

The third bidder, VIA Air LLC, does not currently hold the certifications but most 

important they are non-syndicated, therefore not qualified at this time. 

The fourth and final bidder, Great Lakes, has submitted three possible bids, none of 

which has been explained in great detail. However, the first bid of 9 seats on a 1900D they have 

said 10,000 passengers at $104.98 at $1,049,800.00 with a total annual calculation of 

$2,443,523.00. We bring this up because on a 9 passenger plane for 3 flights daily 365 days a 

year we catmot even make a 10,000 passenger count. With their current record of cancellations 

and the public distrust in their reliability this puts us at our lowest level of enplanements in years 

and at an increase of just over $1,000,000.00 to the EAS program. It seems like a loss for both 

Scottsbluff and the EAS progratn. 

The second bid is a 19 seat Beachcraft 1900 with 20,000 passenger count and an annual 

calculation of $1,765,849.00 is just higher than the cost last year. We would need further 

clarification of the time fratne to restore back to the 19 passenger plane. 
Mr. Michael Martin 

EAS bid 2014 

October 27, 2014 

The third bid is an EMB 120 with a 22,000 passenger count and an annual calculation of 

$1,764,806.00 is also just higher than the cost last year. However, they currently have few EMB 

120's in stock so why are they not flying them to us now instead of a nine passenger, we assume 

that it is due to no pilots. Therefore, we do not believe that this is a viable option. Also with the 

EMB in this altitude during the summer nionths the passenger count is cut back to approximately 

10 to 12 passengers per flight due to weight restrictions, therefore our enplanements are reduced. 

Finally quoting at the same price as the Beechcraft 1900 bid (configured with 9 seats) 

they speak of a 3 7 seat or larger RJ with two round trips per week day and two round trips over 

the weekend which would be the most desirable. Even with this being at the same cost and with 

Great Lakes wanting us to commit to "full community marketing supp01i" we need more clarity 

and definitive answers on the bid from Great Lakes. What is their definition of "full community 

marketing support"? At the present time Great Lakes does not hold any RJ' s in inventory, what 

is the timeline for them to secure RJ's, what reliability assurances would we have, etc.? And 

where do the pilots come from? 

After careful consideration of all bids the Airport Authority of the County of Scotts Bluff 

has come to the only feasible conclusion; and that is to go with Aerodynamics Inc. in the amount 

of$3,604,187.00 for the following reasons: 

1) The Embraer 145 seats 50 passengers which gives us the capacity of 100 

passengers per day, and the ability to make our annual enplanements, 

2) The seat subsidy cost is lower, 

3) The EMB 145 will be overnighting at Scottsbluff for more reassurance that there 

will be a morning flight and more stability in services. 

We fully appreciate the D.O.T. and the E.A.S. program to help us better our airport and 

community. Our airport is very important to us and the viability of the community. Thank you 

and if you have any questions or need further information please contact me. 

Very truly yours, 

Western Nebraska Regional Airport 

Airpoti Director 

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