BOARD OF 

COMMISSIONERS 

Kenneth Mahoney 

Chair, District 1 

I. John Snider, II 

Vice-Chair, District 3 

Lewis J. Collins 

District 6 

Benjamin Cross 

District 10 

James J. Derezinski 

District 4 

Marvin R. Engle 

District 5 

Alan W. Jager 

District 2 

Anthony T. Longmire 

District 8 

Scott Plummer 

District 7 

Robert Scolnik 

District 11 

Rillastine R. Wilkins 

District 9 

MUSKEGON COUNTY 

M c H 

September 19, 2011 

Mr. Dennis J. DeVany 

Chief, Essential Air Service Division 

Office of Aviation Analysis 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, D.C. 20590 

Reference: DOT-OST-2009-0301 

Dear Dennis, 

G A N 

The County of Muskegon, Michigan, herein provides its comments regarding the 

pending proposals of four airlines to provide Muskegon's Essential Air Service (EAS) 

during 2012 and 2013 cycle. 

Our SkyWest I United Express service to Chicago began in early 2010 and initial traffic 

volumes were low, primarily due to the lack of an everyday morning originating flight 

and evening return flight. Muskegon has a strong business community for which well 

timed flight schedules are essential. Due to the lack of a morning originating flight and 

evening return many of these business travelers have far less occasion to use our 

airport. 

(/) 

We have repeatedly asked SkyWest for a schedule pattern similar to that offered by the 

carrier at the other three former Delta markets that SkyWest assumed in early 2010. 

The carrier has thus far declined to provide us with that type of schedule pattern, a 

pattern which would certainly cause our traffic to increase dramatically. 

Beginning in the summer of 2011, we have been working with the carrier to provide a 

more consistent schedule, and we have coupled that with a significant local air service 

marketing program. This SCASD funded marketing effort has caused a dramatic increase 

in our traffic, with 3,205 passengers on and off in July of 2011, an increase of 23% from 

the previous July. 

SkyWest has been a reliable provider of air service and has been generally well-received 

by the community. We continue to work on issues related to the pricing of our market 

by SkyWest's partner, United Airlines, as well as acquiring a daily morning originating 

flight. Despite some of the challenges we face, we believe that SkyWest I United Express 

offers us the best chance to grow our traffic (hopefully w ith an improved schedule) to 

the point where we can exit the EAS program in the near future. 

MUSKEGON COUNTY AIRPORT 

~ 7

' , 99 SINCLAIR DRIVE • MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN 49441 • (231 ) 798-4596 • FAX (231) 798-7728 

WWW.MUSKEGONAIRPORTCOM 

An EEO I ADA Employer 

recycled paper 
Mr. Dennis J. DeVany 

September 19, 2011 

Page 2 

Therefore, we endorse SkyWest's bid to provide our essential air service in 2012 and 

2013 for $1,112,826 per year. While we appreciate the interest of the other three 

carriers that bid, none adequately address the air service needs of our community. 

>- The bid by Air Choice One is proposing 9-seat aircraft, below the EAS programs 

recommendation. In the interest of securing higher aircraft capacity, we will not 

seek a waiver to the EAS requirement that service be provided on at least 15-

seat twin engine aircraft. 

>- Sovereign Air does not have the required FAA operating certificates. While this 

carrier's bid is lower than that of SkyWest, the service proposal itself is flawed, 

including a 30 minute block time to Chicago and no recognition of the time zone 

change in the representative schedule. 

>- The bid by Intrepid International Airlines is proposing one round trip per day on 

four days per week, which does not meet the community's air service needs or 

DOT minimum capacity definition at Muskegon. 

The County of Muskegon endorses the proposal of SkyWest, as their proposal best 

meets the needs of the community and the established guidelines of the EAS program. 

Thank you for your consideration of our recommendation. 

Sincerely, 

Marty 

/71~ Piette, A.A.E. 

Airport Manager 

C: Bonnie Hammersley, County Administrator 

H:\Homan\ AA\Grants\SCASD\EAS 2012\Devany, DOT Recommendation Letter 091911.docx