Order 2012-5-25

Served: May 24, 2012

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Issued by the Department of Transportation

on the 24th day of May, 2012 

 Essential Air Service at

 MACON, GEORGIA

Under 49 U.S. C. 41731 et seq.

 DOCKET DOT-OST-2007-28671

 

ORDER PROHIBITING SUSPENSION OF SERVICE

AND REQUESTING PROPOSALS

Summary

By this Order, the Department prohibits Pacific Wings, L.L.C., d/b/a Georgia Skies (“Pacific 

Wings”), from terminating service at Macon, Georgia, for 30 days beyond the end of the 90-day 

notice period, i.e., August 25, 2012. We are also requesting proposals from air carriers 

interested in providing Essential Air Service (“EAS”) at Macon, with or without subsidy. (See 

Appendix A for a map). Proposals are due June 20, 2012. 

Background

By Order 2008-5-43, May 29, 2008, the Department selected Pacific Wings to provide EAS at 

the community for the two-year period through September 30, 2010, for an annual subsidy rate 

of $1,386,306.1

In anticipation of the end of that rate term, the Department issued Order 2010-5-33, 

May 28, 2010, requesting proposals from air carriers interested in providing replacement service 

at Macon, with subsidy support if necessary, for the two-year period beginning October 1, 2010. 

The Department received proposals from four air carriers, but, by Order 2010-10-5, we rejected 

the proposals of all four air carriers. We rejected two of the proposals because those air carriers 

did not have the requisite operating authority at that time. We rejected the remaining two 

proposals because the per passenger subsidy from both proposals would have exceeded the 

subsidy-per-passenger ceiling. Then, on December 14, 2010, Pacific Wings filed the following:

 1 By Order 2010-10-5, October 7, 2010, we extended that rate until further Department action. That service 

consisted of 26 nonstop round trips a week, operated with 9-seat Cessna 208-B aircraft.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
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“At this point, [Pacific Wings] has invested far too much in Macon to simply walk away. 

Please accept this correspondence as notice that [Pacific Wings] is withdrawing its bid

for subsidized service at Macon, but will continue to serve the community without 

subsidy.”

In light of the above, the Department terminated that carrier-selection proceeding and relied on 

Pacific Wings’ subsidy-free service to continue to meet Macon’s EAS needs. Pacific Wings 

continued to provide subsidy-free service until April 26, 2012, at which point the carrier filed the 

current 90-day notice of intent to terminate its unsubsidized service at Macon, effective 

July 26, 2012. 

Hold-In

The Department’s FY 2012 appropriation (P.L. 112-55) limited eligibility in the EAS program in 

the lower 48 states to certain communities, including those that received subsidized EAS “at any 

time between September 30, 2010, and September 30, 2011, inclusive.” Macon is eligible for 

subsidized service because it was receiving service on a subsidized basis from Pacific Wings 

through January 24, 2011.

Pacific Wings’ proposed termination of service at Macon would leave the community with no 

scheduled air service whatsoever. In this circumstance, 49 U.S.C. 41731(a)(1)(c) requires the 

Department to prohibit the air carrier from terminating such service for 30 days beyond the end 

of its 90-day notice, i.e., August 25, 2012. We will require Pacific Wings to continue to 

maintain the current level of service at Macon for successive 30-day periods until we have 

completed processing the air carrier-replacement case and the selected air carrier has actually 

started service.2 

Request for Proposals

We are here requesting proposals from air carriers interested in providing service at Macon, 

with or without subsidy support, for a new two-year period. Air carriers should file their 

proposals no later than June 20, 2012. After that date, our staff will docket proposals, thereby 

making them public, and direct each air carrier to serve a copy of its proposal on the civic 

parties and other applicants. Shortly thereafter, we will provide a summary of the proposals 

to community officials and ask them to submit their final comments. We will give full 

consideration to all proposals filed in a timely manner.3 

We are here providing interested air carriers with some basic information to serve as guidance 

when they prepare their proposals, but we will not prescribe a precise format for their 

proposals. We expect proposals to adequately describe the service being proposed and the 

annual amount of subsidy being requested. The applicants can make their own judgments as 

to the level of detail they wish to present; however, they might want to include proposed 

 2 In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Pacific Wings’ service obligation for successive 30-day 

periods as necessary until replacement service actually begins.

3 Carriers should not expect the Department to accept late filings. In cases where a carrier proposes to provide 

Essential Air Service without subsidy and we determine that service can be reliably provided without such 

compensation, we typically do not proceed with the carrier-selection case. Instead, we simply rely on that carrier’s 

subsidy-free service as proposed.
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schedules as well as supporting data for their subsidy requests, such as projected block hours, 

revenues and expenses. We strongly encourage clear, well-documented proposals that will 

facilitate their evaluation by the affected communities and the Department.4

Interested air carriers should prepare their proposal with every expectation that their initial 

proposal will also be their final and only proposal. We retain the discretion to negotiate 

proposals with air carriers when we deem it desirable; in such cases, of course, we will give 

all applicants the same opportunity. We also retain the discretion to reject outright all 

unreasonable or unrealistic proposals and solicit a new round of proposals. However, we 

anticipate that negotiation or rejection will remain only occasional exceptions to the rule.

In order to assist air carriers in developing traffic and revenue projections for their proposals, we 

have summarized historical passengers in Appendix B. In 2011, Macon generated 1,988 O&D 

passengers, an average of three enplanements a day.5 

Other Air Carrier Requirements

The Department is responsible for implementing various Federal statutes governing lobbying 

activities, drug-free workplaces and nondiscrimination.6 Consequently, all air carriers

receiving Federal subsidy to support EAS must certify that they are in compliance with 

Department regulations regarding drug-free workplaces and nondiscrimination, and those air 

carriers whose subsidies exceed $100,000 over the life of the rate term must also certify that 

they are in compliance with the regulations governing lobbying activities. All air carriers that 

plan to submit proposals involving subsidy should submit the required certifications along 

with their proposals. Interested air carriers requiring more detailed information regarding 

these requirements, as well as copies of the certifications, should contact the Office of 

Aviation Analysis at (202) 366-5903. The Department is prohibited from paying subsidy to 

air carriers that do not submit these documents. 7

Community Comments

Civic officials and the State are welcome to submit comments at any time. We encourage

prospective applicants to contact the community before they submit their proposals so that 

they can tailor them to the community’s needs, as they will not be able to amend them after 

 4 In selecting an air carrier to provide subsidized EAS, 49 U.S.C. 41733(c)(1) directs us to consider four factors: 

(1) service reliability; (2) contractual and marketing arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub; (3) interline 

arrangements with a larger carrier at the hub; and (4) community views. In addition, the Consolidated 

Appropriations Act, 2008, Public Law 110-161, provides that when selecting an air carrier to provide EAS, the 

Department may consider the relative subsidy requirements, thus codifying a factor that we have considered since 

the inception of the program. Interested carriers should also be aware that our general provisions governing EAS 

will be included in the selection Order as part of our authorization of subsidy for the selected service. Appendix C 

of this Order contains those general provisions.

5 See Appendix B for historical traffic data. Enplanements represent one-half of total origin-and-destination 

traffic, and average enplanements per day are based on 313 service days a year.

6 The regulations applicable to these areas are: (1) 49 CFR Part 20 – New restrictions on lobbying; (2) 49 CFR 

Part 21 – Nondiscrimination in federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation – Effectuation of 

title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; 49 CFR Part 27 – Nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in programs 

and activities receiving or benefiting from Federal financial assistance; and 14 CFR Part 382 – Nondiscrimination 

on the basis of disability in air travel; and (3) 49 CFR Part 29 – Government-wide debarment and suspension (nonprocurement) and government-wide requirements for drug-free workplace (grants).

7 The certifications are also available on the web at http://ostpxweb.dot.gov/aviation/index.html.
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the due date. As noted earlier, we will provide a copy of the proposals to the civic parties and 

ask them to submit their final comments shortly after June 20, 2012, the due date for air 

carrier proposals.

This Order is issued under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.56a(f) and re-delegated to the

Director, Office of Aviation Analysis.

ACCORDINGLY,

1. We request that air carriers interested in providing Essential Air Service at Macon, 

Georgia, submit their proposals, with or without subsidy requests, no later than June 20, 2012. 

The proposals should be emailed to: EAS@dot.gov with the title “Proposal to Provide 

Essential Air Service at Macon, Georgia (Docket DOT-OST-2007-28671)”8

2. The Department prohibits Pacific Wings, L.L.C., d/b/a Georgia Skies, from suspending 

their service at Macon, Georgia, at the end of its 90-day notice period and require it to 

maintain its current level of service, as specified in Order 2011-1-14, issued on January 18, 

2011, through August 25, 2012, or until an air carrier capable of providing reliable Essential 

Air Service actually begins service, whichever comes first;9

3. The Department will serve copies of this Order on the civic officials of Macon, Georgia, 

Pacific Wings, L.L.C., d/b/a Georgia Skies, and the parties listed in Appendix D;

By:

SUSAN L. KURLAND

Assistant Secretary for

Aviation and International Affairs

(SEAL)

An electronic version of this document is available on the World Wide Web at 

http://www.regulations.gov

 8 Questions regarding filings in response to this Order should be directed to Mr. Scott Faulk at 

scott.faulk@dot.gov or (202) 366-9967.

9 In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 41734(c), we will extend Pacific Wings’ service obligation for successive 30-day 

periods as necessary until replacement service actually begins. 
Appendix A

AREA MAP
Appendix B

Macon Georgia1

Year Quarter

Inbound

Pax

Outbound

Pax Total

2009 1 373 348 721

2009 2 369 385 754

2009 3 332 317 649

2009 4 323 274 597

2,721 Total

2010 1 223 224 447

2010 2 318 227 595

2010 3 463 376 839

2010 4 303 365 668

2,549 Total

2011 1 259 236 495

2011 2 222 185 407

2011 3 252 219 471

2011 4 339 276 615

1,988 Total

 1 Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics; Schedule T-100. 
Appendix C

Example of General Terms and Conditions for Essential Air Service

The air carrier understands that it may forfeit its compensation for any flights that it does not 

operate in conformance with the terms and stipulations of the rate Order, including the service

plans outlined in the Order and any other significant elements of the required service, without 

prior approval. The air carrier understands that an aircraft take-off and landing at its scheduled 

destination constitutes a completed flight; absent an explanation supporting subsidy eligibility for

a flight that has not been completed, such as certain weather cancellations, only completed flights 

are considered eligible for subsidy. In addition, if the air carrier does not schedule or operate its 

flights in full conformance with the Order for a significant period, it may jeopardize its entire

subsidy claim for the period in question. If the air carrier contemplates any such changes beyond 

the scope of the Order during the applicable period of these rates, it must first notify the Office of

Aviation Analysis in writing and receive written approval from the Department to be ensured of

full compensation. Should circumstances warrant, the Department may locate and select a

replacement air carrier to provide service on these routes. The air carrier must complete all 

flights that can be safely operated; flights that overfly points for lack of traffic will not be 

compensated. In determining whether subsidy payment for a deviating flight should be adjusted 

or disallowed, the Department will consider the extent to which the goals of the program are met 

and the extent of access to the national air transportation system provided to the community.

If the Department unilaterally, either partially or completely, terminates or reduces payments for

service or changes service requirements at a specific location provided for under this Order, then,

at the end of the period for which the Department does make payments in the stipulated amounts 

or at the stipulated service levels, the air carrier may cease to provide service to that specific

location without regard to any requirement for notice of such cessation. Those adjustments in the

levels of subsidy and/or service that are mutually agreed to in writing by the Department and air 

carrier do not constitute a total or partial reduction or cessation of payment.

Subsidy contracts are subject to, and incorporate by reference, relevant statutes and Department 

regulations, as they may be amended from time to time. However, any such statutes, regulations, 

or amendments thereto shall not operate to controvert the foregoing paragraph.

Funds are not currently available for performance under this Solicitation beyond

September 30, 2012. The Government's obligation for performance under this Solicitation

beyond September 30, 2012, is subject to the availability of appropriated funds from which 

payment for services can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any

payment may arise for performance under this solicitation beyond September 30, 2012, until 

funds are made available to the Department for performance. If funds are not made available for

performance beyond September 30, 2012, the Department will provide notice in writing to the air 

carrier.

All claims for payment must be submitted within 60 days of the last day of service provided 

under this Order.
Appendix D

Aero Twin, AACA, Tony Cestnik DHS, Randy Webb

Alaska Air Carriers Association, Joy Journeay Northern Air Cargo, John Eckles

Alaska Airlines, Joe Sprague Northern Air Cargo, Keven Schlosstein

Alaska Airlines, Sandy Sinick Pacific Airways, Steve Montanus

Alaska Central Express, John Seamon PenAir Consultant, Patrick Rizzi

Alaska Central Express, Mike Bergt PenAir, Betty Gonzalez

Alaska Central Express, Steve Endlich PenAir, Danny Seybert

Alaska DOT, Christine Klein PenAir, Orin Seybert

Alaska DOT, Rebecca Cronkhite PenAir, Robert Cohn

Alaska DOT-Medicaid Passenger Fares PenAir, Scott Bloomquist

Alaska Seaplanes, Craig Loken PM Air, d/b/a Promech, Marc Sessoms

Alsek Air, Les and Debra Hartley RITA, Benard Stankus

Arctic Circle, Donald Singsaas Servant Air, Wes Osowski

Arctic Circle, Kelly Harris Skagway, Ben Lingle

Arctic Transportation Services (ATS), Wilfred Ryan Smokey Bay Air, Claire McCann

Arctic Transportation Services, (ATS), Jim Hjelm Spernak Airways, Mike Spernak

Baker Aviation, Marjorie Baker Tanana Air Service, Brian Martin

Bering Air, Allen Haddadi Taquan Air Service, Brien Salazaar

Bering Air, Jim Rowe Taquan, Beckie Allen

Congressional, Murkowski, Arne Fuglvog Tatonduk, Controller, Tina Paylor

Congressional, Begich, Amanda Clausen Tatonduk, Marketing, Robert Ragar

Congressional, Young, Jeremy Price Tatonduk, Owner, Robert Everts

Consultant, Hank Myers USPS, Greg Garcia

Consultant, Ken Acton USPS, Joel Rosen

Consultant, Norm Israelson USPS, Mary Tobias

Ellis Air Taxi, Lynn Ellis USPS, Meredith Chavez, Consultant

Era Aviation, Mike Lenorman USPS, Steve Deaton

ERA, David M. Richards USPS, Taylor, Mary T

Frontier Flying, Bob Hajducovich USPS, Tina Campbell

Grant Aviation, Bruce McGlasson USPS, William Jones

Hageland, Mike Hageland Warbelows Air Ventures, Arthur Warbelow

Hageland, Patrick Thurston Ward Air, Ed Kiesel

Hageland, Steve Wahrnke Wings of Alaska, Bob Jacobsen

Harris Air, Fly Hackett Wings of Alaska, Michelle Donohue

Harris Air, Scott Wright Air Service, Bob Bursiel

Harris Air, Scott Harris Yute, Tim Vottis

Homer Air, Andy Smircich

Iliamna Air, Tim LaPorte

Inland Aviation, Stephen Hill

Island Air Service, Bob Stanford

Katmai Air, Sonny Peterson