Big Sky Times

Calls on Biden administration to review SkyWest’s Airlines’ request to operate certain flights in rural Montana, including Butte 

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to urge the agency to expeditiously review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for commuter authority. Rural Montana relies on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has sat unresolved at the agency for over a year. It is past time for the DOT to take action.

“I write today to express my concern with the pressing situation facing small community air service in Montana. Rural communities, who would otherwise not have expedient access to the national transportation network, rely on this service to connect them with the rest of the nation,” Daines wrote.

“I share your priority for maintaining the highest levels of safety, security, and service for any airline that seeks to operate in Montana. Fortunately, SkyWest has set conditions for its pilots that exceed the 1,500-hour requirement for an ATP license and committed to utilizing standard, traditional TSA security checkpoints for passengers boarding all SkyWest Charter Part 380 flights. With these and other industry-leading standards in mind, I urge the expeditious review and full consideration of SkyWest’s application for commuter authority to ensure safe, reliable, and quality air service can continue to be maintained in Montana’s rural communities,” Daines continued in his letter.

Read full letter HERE.

Original source can be found here.