With contract for Essential Air Service with Southern Airways Express set to expire in February of next year, the Boone County Regional Airport Board of Directors are going through the process of hearing proposals from companies wanting to offer those services starting next March.
According to a release from the City of Harrison, Southern Airways is making a proposal to continue serving travelers going through the airport in Harrison as they have the last 10 years.
During their proposal to the Board of Directors, Southern Airways Officials gave numbers of how many passengers they serve company wide and said it is their intention to continue hire local and house several pilots in the Harrison area.
According to information released by the Harrison Daily Times, a total of six companies have made proposals on providing air service through the Boone County Regional Airport.
Besides Southern, the Times reports that Boutique Air, Contour Airways, Denver Air Connection, Skyroads Aviation, and SkyWest Charter also made presentations to the board.
The Essential Air Service Program was established in 1978 and is operated by the Federal Department of Transportation. According to the DOT, the program is designed to insure air service would remain for small commuter airports through a Federal Subsidy Program.
According to the City of Harrison release, the Board of Directors has until the end of the month to select a first and second preference to the DOT who will make the final selection.
Airport Director Judy McCutcheon says in the release, “The DOT has the final say and will more than likely announce in late December who they chose to serve our community. We are very grateful for the interest these aviation companies have shown in our airport.”
More information can be found in the Harrison Daily Times as well as with the release from the City of Harrison.
