Thune: Bill Could Keep Great Lakes in Aberdeen

By Scott Waltman, American News, Aberdeen, S.D.

Nov. 1–A Senate measure passed this week could save Glacial Lakes Airlines service in Aberdeen, Sen. John Thune said.

The bill, which has yet to be approved by the House, would restore Essential Air Service to Brookings for a year. Brookings has been without commercial air service since the start of October, when the 2003 federal aviation bill expired.

Congress won’t finalize a new aviation bill until next year. The temporary measure passed late Tuesday would continue service to Brookings until the larger bill is OK’d.

Thune, a Republican, said he has been talking with Great Lakes and hopes that if the airline again provides service to Brookings, it could also serve Aberdeen. Thune said he won’t make any guarantees and that the airline will make a final decision. But, Thune said, talks with Great Lakes officials have been favorable.

Great Lakes officials have said Essential Air Service in Brookings would have no impact on their decision to discontinue serving Aberdeen. They could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Thune said he hopes next year’s full aviation bill will contain money to provide Essential Air Service to Brookings through 2012. Such a provision is in the bill the Senate has passed but in not the current House bill.

Kyle Downey, Thune’s press secretary, said there’s a fair chance the legislation that would tide over Brookings until next year could be fast-tracked through the House as it was in the Senate.

After about a year of service, Great Lakes plans to discontinue service to Aberdeen this week. The airline and city are in a disagreement about how long Great Lakes was to serve Aberdeen Regional Airport.

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