The United States Department of Transportation has formally put out requests for proposals to provide commercial air service to the Falls International Airport.
The U.S. DOT released the request Monday, reported Bob Anderson, chairman of the Koochiching County — International Falls Airport Commission.
The deadline for responses by potential providers is 30 days, instead of the usual 60-day period, according to local airport officials.
The U.S. DOT will review the proposals and then allow local officials an opportunity to comment on them. However, officials may be asked to comment quickly once proposals are reviewed in an attempt to secure a provider as quickly as possible.
Besides International Falls, the request for proposals to provide air service include airports at Iron Mountain, Mich., Rhinelander, Wis., and Brainerd.
The request for proposals process was initiated by the U.S. DOT after Great Lakes Aviation asked the DOT to seek new bids for commercial air service to International Falls and the three other cities.
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 has stressed that the rebidding does not mean that International Falls will go without air service at any time during that period.
In related business, Falls Councilor Gail Rognerud, a member of the airport commission, said at Monday’s city council meeting the commission is gathering information about establishing a taxing district to help fund the long-term operations of the airport.
She said a taxing district would help distribute the costs of the airport operations among all county property owners.
