Great Lakes Aviation has asked the United States Department of Transportation to seek new bids for commercial air service to International Falls and three other cities.

Bob Anderson, chairman of the Koochiching County-International Falls Airport Commission, said Thursday that the DOT said it would seek new bids for air service to International Falls, along with Iron Mountain Iron, Rhinelander, Wis., and Brainerd.

The rebidding of the service would begin Friday or Monday and could take 90 to 180 days to complete.

Delta in July announced it would not continue servicing International Falls, but under the essential air service program, it must continue to provide service until another provider is in place. Great Lakes bid to provide service to International Falls and in April, the DOT selected it to provide service at the Falls International Airport.

Anderson stressed that the rebidding does not mean that International Falls will go without air service at any time during that period.

DOT officials, in telephone discussions Wednesday with Anderson and Thor Einerson, airport manager, assured that Delta will be held in until a new provider is secured.

“We will continue to receive two flights per day with CRJs, jet service with 100 seats available — 50 on each flight,” said Anderson. “That’s good news and we know that Great Lakes is working with Delta in the Twin Cities.”

The move by Great Lakes is “kind of a new twist and is concerning, but we believe there are still opportunities to continue good service out of International Falls,” said Anderson.

Anderson said he believes that Great Lakes is facing challenges as a result of adding six or seven new cities to its service in the last year.

“They are certainly stretched trying to secure aircraft, pilots and ground crews,” he said, adding that Great Lakes has also moved into the Minneapolis-St. Paul hub and is working with Delta and other airlines. “Getting established at Minneapolis-St. Paul is a challenge,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anderson said he’s unsure what the rebidding process will bring for International Falls. It’s possible Great Lakes will rebid and this would give it more time to get out and find the equipment and staff to service the airports, he said.

“I have known Great Lakes CEO Doug Voss for over 30 years and it’s a testament to his business that he is still operating as a regional carrier when many others have slipped away because of the issues airlines face today, with profit margins razor thin, if at all,” said Anderson. “Doug does not want to go into communities unless he is totally prepared and we appreciate that kind of attitude.”

Now, Great Lakes is not able to take on four or five cities, having bid on nine cities last fall to service and DOT has asked them to take on one more in North Dakota.”

“They have their plate full right now,” he said.