Company agrees to provide 30-seater

A contract for commercial service at the Falls International Airport with Great Lakes Aviation is forthcoming, local officials were assured in meetings with federal officials in Washington, D.C., last week.

In addition, those meetings with Federal Aviation Administration and GLA leaders revealed that Great Lakes Aviation has agreed to provide at least one round trip during summer peak travel with a 30-seat Brasilia.

Local officials report that Great Lakes Aviation leaders recognize the need for additional capacity seasonally and will do so without requesting additional Essential Air Service subsidy beyond that of the rates established for its 19-seat Beech 1900-Ds.

The plane was discussed Monday in reports by Koochiching County Commissioner Brian McBride to the county board meeting in committee on another issue and by Falls Mayor Shawn Mason and Councilor Paul Eklund during a special meeting of the International Falls City Council. Councilor Tim “Chopper” McBride, who also traveled to Washington, was absent from Monday’s council meeting.

Meanwhile, Eklund said the meeting with Dennis DeVany, of the FAA’s Essential Air Service, included Doug Voss, founder of GLA and its chief executive officer.

Eklund and Brian McBride reported that DeVany and Voss said the announcement that GLA would provide air service to the Falls airport was delayed until after the Falls officials met in Washington to ensure that there were no issues that needed to be discussed.

“They said Delta would not go anywhere until GL was ready,” said Eklund. “And they assured us that there will be a contract between Delta and GL for baggage handling. I felt more comfortable.”

Mason reported that the paperwork for GLA to begin providing service would be completed in March, with GLA providing service in June.