USDOT extends deadline to find new air carrier for SkyWest at Mason City Municipal Airport

MASON CITY — The US Department of Transportation has extended the deadline for requests for proposals for a new carrier to provide Essential Air Service to Mason City and 27 other communities currently served by SkyWest Airlines. Proposals from air carriers will now be due just before midnight on May 11th.

On March 10th, SkyWest Airlines provided the US Department of Transportation with a 90-day notice of its intent to discontinue service to 29 communities, including Mason City. SkyWest is citing the ongoing pilot shortages as the reason for ending service. The following day, the USDOT issued an order that prohibited SkyWest from terminating service until a new carrier selection process could be conducted and the selected carrier can begin service. The order also requested proposals from new carriers interested in providing Essential Air Service to the affected communities.

New carriers are asked to be ready to begin service within 60-to-90 days of the completion of the selection process.