Regardless of plans by Mesa Airlines to suspend stops in five Wyoming towns, air service will continue because the towns are designated as essential service communities, U.S. Senator Craig Thomas said today. Thomas, who has been in contact with federal officials over the past several weeks to negotiate continued service, contacted the Federal Department of Transportation again Friday to ask that the process for determining who and under what conditions service will continue be completed as soon as possible with the input of Wyoming communities involved. In addition, Thomas followed up that conversation with a letter to the Transportation Secretary to reiterate that Wyoming people and businesses are counting on quality air service to continue.
Air service means more than convenience for Wyoming residents, often, it's an economic lifeline.
Because the affected stops are already designated as essential air service communities, Mesa or a competing airline will continue to serve them. The process underway now is set to determine the terms and conditions of future service. Thomas said that the U.S. Department of Transportation has until January 1 to decide whether to subsidize Mesa Airlines to continue service or find an alternative airline to service the Wyoming communities.