The Delta County Airport will have new flight schedule options starting Tuesday, March 2, 2016. The commercial airline service is provided by Delta Airlines (DBA Skywest Airlines). Skywest Airlines is the Essential Air Service carrier, approved and contracted by the US Department of Transportation and operates as Delta Airlines.
Approximately four weeks ago, Delta County Airport was contacted by Skywest Airlines with two options to the flight schedule to take effect as soon as March or April of this year. The airport team and board immediately began to research and review options to see which would fit our community air service best.
Under the Essential Air Service contract, Skywest Airlines agrees to provide 12 flights per week with non-stop service to Detroit. Skywest is able to make changes to the flight times within reason, as they deem necessary. Skywest has been an exceptional partner to the Delta County Airport and when it became apparent that they needed to make changes within their route structure, they contacted the Airport to ensure a smooth and easy transition.
Option number 1: Delta County Airport would continue to have two roundtrip non-stop flights to Detroit, but at the same time would not have an overnight aircraft in Escanaba.
MONDAY-FRIDAY: Arrive from Detroit at 9:50am and depart to Detroit at 10:15am
Arrive from Detroit at 5:30pm and depart to Detroit at 5:55pm.
SATURDAY: Arrive from Detroit at 09:50am and depart to Detroit at 10:15am
SUNDAY: Arrive from Detroit at 5:25pm and depart to Detroit at 5:43pm.
Option number 2: Delta County Airport would continue to have two roundtrips and continue to have an overnight aircraft, but would lose the non-stop Detroit service for the morning flight. There would be a stop in Rhinelander, WI and continue onto Minneapolis, MN. The flight times would stay approximately the same time as currently offered at 5:00am and 2:00pm departures.
The Airport Administration and Airport Advisory Board met and reviewed the two schedule options. They discussed the positives and negatives of the proposals and how the changes could affect our community flight service. The decision was the first option with two roundtrip non-stop flights to Detroit. Some factors that played into this decision were the stopping in Rhinelander and changing the morning Hub to Minneapolis. This would result in lost revenue to the airport. In addition, the numerous weather and air traffic delays out of Minneapolis airport were pointed out. Adding a stop could possibly cause further unexpected delays.
A 10:15am flight reaches the large bank of flights out of Detroit at 12:00 p.m. The 5:55 p.m. flight reaches a bank of flights at 7:45 p.m. out of Detroit. These flight times provide travelers options from coast to coast. Inbound passengers can arrive in Escanaba t 9:50 a.m., conduct business and depart Escanaba at 5:55 p.m.
The Airport administration wishes to express its gratitude to Delta County and the Airport Board for their time and effort in coming to a conclusion to best serve our passengers. According to Airport Manager Kelly Smith, “this was a great collaborative discussion involving Skywest AIrlines, Delta County, the Airport Board and the Airport Administration team. We look forward to providing excellent air service out of our airport and welcome the opportunity to serve our passengers’ needs.”
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