-- HITCH A fl</;E

## ~**------·--·-·---~---~-~~-** 

## ·**-·~---** 

## .. IVE.f!l"RIIIIEBRI1cfttllREqi()/111L11/RP()RT
250023 AIRPORT TERMINAL STREET, STE 10 SCOTTSBLUFF, NE 69361-7627 OFFICE: 308-635-4941 866-635-4941 FAX: 308-632-7361 

### www.flvscottsbluff.com July 9, 2014

Mr. Michael F. Martin United States Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: EAS Docket OST-2003-14535 Dear Mr. Martin: ...... t..·.,)

We are in receipt ofthe Essential Air Service (EAS) bid that was submitted on June 12, 2014 by Great Lakes Aviation. The Board ofthe Airport Authority ofScotts BluffCounty (WesternNebraska Regional Airport) and I have reviewed thebid and our comments are stated below. Great Lakes has submitted three possible bids, none ofwhichhas been explained in great detail. However, the first bid of9 seats on a 1900D they have said 10,000passengers 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 passengerplane for 3 flights daily 365 days a year we cannot even make a 10,000 passenger count. Withtheir current record ofcancellations and the public distrust in their reliability this puts us at our lowest level ofenplanements in years and at an increase of just over $1,000,000.00 to the EAS program. It seems like a loss for both Scottsbluffand the EAS program. The second bid with a 19 seat Beachcraft 1900 with 20,000 passenger count and an annual calculation of$1,765,849.00 isjusthigher than the cost last year. We would need further clarification ofthe time frame to restore backto the 19 passenger plane. As with the third bid ofa 3 7 seat orlarger RJ oftwo 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 support" we need more clarity and definitive answers on the bid from Great Lakes. What is their definition of"full communitymarketing support"? At the present time GreatLakes does not hold any RJ's ininventory, what is the timeline for themto secure RJ's, whatreliability assurances would we have, etc.? •........ jI, I



### Mr. Michael Martin EAS bid 2014

July 9, 2014 Unfortunately after careful consideration we would like to reject the Great Lakes Aviation bid and request that the Department ofTransportation commence with a re-bid for our market. To recap the reason for rejection, a list is stated below: 1) Detailed information on each individual bid, 2) Pertinent information concerning the B1900 and RJ bids and timeline ofservice availability. 3) Definition of"full community marketing support" We have always done our best to work with Great Lakes in the past and appreciate their bid this year and hope they will bid again inthe rebid process but that they will be much more descriptive and clear intheir newbid along with any newbidders. 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 importantto us and the viability ofthe community. Thank you and ifyou have any questions or need further informationplease contact me.

DS:cc Very truly yours, Western Nebraska Regional Airport

Darwin Skelton Airport Director