Faint Hope Held Out for Return of Airline

By Jackie Burke, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Oct. 12–At least one airport board member thinks Great Lakes Airlines will stay in Aberdeen if Brookings is approved as an Essential Air Service community and continues to get federal money.

Airport Board member Steve Kaiser said Mark Sixel, the airport’s consultant, told him it might change Great Lakes’ decision to leave if Brookings was reissued its EAS money.

Dave Osborn, airport manager, said he was told by Sen. Tim Johnson and Sen. John Thune that the issue with EAS money for Brookings was a done deal — meaning Great Lakes would stop offering flights to and from Aberdeen on Nov. 4. Aberdeen does not get the EAS money for Great Lakes service, although Brookings does. The Brookings and Aberdeen Great Lakes flights, however, are not connected. Pierre and Huron will continue to get EAS money for their Great Lakes flights and the airline will continue to serve those communities.

Kaiser said Sixel told him an airport in Pennsylvania was having problems, and if Brookings worked with that airport, there was a chance the decision could be reversed.

Osborn said it was worth trying, but he’s unsure it would change the decision by Great Lakes Airlines.

On Oct. 3, the airline announced it would no longer provide service to Aberdeen because it was not making money on the flights.

Great Lakes had signed two contracts related to grant funding it received. But a third contract, which dealt with the airline renting terminal and office space at the airport, had not been signed, said Osborn.

City Attorney Adam Altman has said Great Lakes has been operating under the terms of the contract since September 2006 and the city plans to hold the airline to that agreement. The rental-space contract was to be from Nov. 1, 2006, to Oct. 31, 2009. The airline started offering Aberdeen flights on Oct. 28, 2006.

Reporter Jackie Burke (605) 622-2303 or 1-800-925-4100 ext. 303; jburke@aberdeennews.com

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