Swanson, Brian (OST) 

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Sent: 

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Hi Mr. Swanson; 

Chuhanic, Cynthia <Cynthia.Chuhanic@iconpk.com > 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012 11:49 AM 

Swanson, Brian (OST) ll 

Brainerd MN Regional airport service 

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I have been flying out of the Brainerd airport for the past 6 years and have had a positive experience until Pinnacle took 

over Mesabi Airlines, it has been poor at best since then. 

There are many people that rely on service to Minneapolis to connect to other cities for work. Many like myself, have 

moved to the Brainerd Lakes area and when doing so checked on the availability of great air service to get us to work 

around the world. 

When Delta Airlines decided not to seryice Brainerd and many other communities there was a meeting with the Brainerd 

Chamber of Commerce and a representative from the DOT who was with the past manager of the airport. Many 

business leaders and others were in attendance and it was decided that at that time that Great Lakes Airlines would not 

be able to fill the needs of the customers of Brainerd Lakes area, but they still were awarded the contract. This was done 

in part I believe because the airport manager at the time did not pursue other airlines for possible ser\tice. I was in · 

attendance at the meeting as a frequent flyer. (over 140,000 miles a year). 

When looking at the amount of service that is required to break even for a decent airline to want to come to Brainerd 

Lakes area, they need the people. In the past year or so ridership may have decreased some but this is due to the fact 

that people cannot rely on getting out or returning on a flight. If Sky West is awarded the contract and the Airport 

Commission does some PR and marketing, the people will return, along with many new customers who werer\t aware 

of the services of the airport. The frequent flyers will all be grateful that we don't have to drive 3 hours to Minneapolis 

and pay for week of parking. Many employers are not willing to cover this expense so the cost comes out of our 

pockets since it is our responsibility to be able to get to work. 

Whe'n I attended the meeting last Fall, I asked if the DOT only took into consideration the population that is posted on 

the "green signs" I was not given a clear answer so I will assume that was a yes. We have flyers that drive as much as 80 

miles to the Brainerd Airport because it is convenient and the people that work there are the best you could ever find. 

In making your decision, please take into account the number of frequent flyers that do need this airport and great 

service to get to work. This is also factor for future growth not only for the Brainerd Lakes area, but for families wanting 

to move here and the future and current businesses that rely on air service to continue their business in the 

community. In awarding Sky West the contract, customers will still be able to use the Delta systems which are already in 

place since Sky West is a commuter partner with Delta. This is a plus when booking flights and luggage handling. Many 

of use frequent flyers also rely on the extra miles we receive for flying out of the Brainerd Lakes airport. 

The people of Central Minnesota and the Brainerd Lakes area need reliable air service to Minneapolis Minnesota, and 

Sky West has a good reputation and would be a welcome entity. Great Lakes does not have the equipment, staff, or 

finances to make it worth the time. If they are awarded the contract I will probably drive to Minneapolis, then I could 

pick any airline that I wanted not just Delta because I will be able to get to work and home as planned without delays 

from airlines that are not equipped to handle this type of service that is required for us. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, I have talked to many of the frequent flyers and we all want 

the same thing, great service to Brainerd Regional airport and home. I know we would get this with service frc>m Sky 

West. 

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Thank you, 

Cindy Chuhanic, MHCA 

ICON Clinical Research 

2.'Z289 43ih Place 

Aitkin, MN 56431 

{612) 618-0797 cell 

cchuhani@yahoo.com 

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