by April Scheinoha
Reporter
The Thief River Falls Regional Airport Authority Board was notified Thursday, Feb. 27 that Denver Air Connection has been approved to provide Essential Air Service at the airport.
The U.S. Department of Transportation approved Denver Air Connection’s proposal to provide 12 round-trip flights per week, starting Monday, June 1, according to Airport Manager Joe Hedrick. Denver Air Connection will utilize a 50-passenger jet the majority of the time to provide flights to and from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. On an intermittent, case-by-case basis, it may utilize a 30-passenger jet. Average fares are expected to be $99. Hedrick said Denver Air will receive an EAS subsidy of $3.9 million for the first year of its EAS contract and $4 million for the second year.
Hedrick said he looked forward to Denver Air Connection providing reliable, affordable air service at the airport. He added that he expected its service would open doors to business and leisure travelers.
The Airport Authority Board had recommended Denver Air Connection to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which had the final say. Other proposals were from Air Choice One, Boutique Air and Southern Airways Express. Boutique Air currently provides EAS at the airport for at least $3.35 million per year as part of a two-year contract. It receives an EAS subsidy for 18 round-trip flights per week at the airport. Currently, it flies 21 round-trip flights per week to and from Minneapolis. Boutique Air’s contract ends May 31, 2020, and its reliability has been a concern for the Airport Authority Board and the public.