By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The current Essential Air Service (EAS) contract with SkyWest Airlines, under the United Express brand, to provide commercial passenger service at the Hays Regional Airport expires July 31, 2018.

SkyWest has submitted a proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a three-year contract for the next contract period. SkyWest was the sole bidder for the Hays air service contract.

Although the EAS contract length is typically for two years, USDOT is “comfortable with the three year proposal if the city commission is,” according to Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty. If awarded to SkyWest, the contract would run from Aug. 1, 2018 through Aug. 1, 2021.

As part of the carrier selection process, USDOT asks for community input.

“SkyWest bid 12 flights a week and they’re asking for a $3.12 million annual subsidy, which is about $400,000 less than their current contract,” Dougherty told Hays city commissioners Thursday. “The U.S. Department of Transportation always weights the community comments very highly.”

Commissioners agreed to sign a letter in support of the SkyWest bid.

“I think this is going to be good for the community,” said Mayor James Meier. “It’s nice they’re doing a three-year contract so they have a little bit more stability. I think they’ve been a very stable carrier for the past four years.”

Commissioner Shaun Musil is glad to see passenger boardings “starting to come back” and is looking forward to the spring launch of an eastbound flight to Chicago. “I’m excited about this,” he added.

SkyWest will begin offering a flight from Hays east to Chicago April 9.