A SkyWest jet landed at the Falls International Airport Monday, signaling that the airline provider has begun service to Borderland.
“They have been transitioning in very well,” said Bob Anderson, chairman of the local airport commission.
In September, the United States Department of Transportation announced SkyWest Airlines was selected to provide commercial air service to International Falls and three other locations in the state.
The service at the Falls International Airport, Brainerd, Iron Mountain/Kingsford, Mich., and Rhinelander, Wis., will include flights with 50-passenger Canadian Regional Jet 200 aircrafts to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport for a two-year period.
Service at International Falls will consist each week of seven nonstop flights to the Twin Cities and five, one-stop, round trip flights, stopping in Brainerd, to the Twin Cities.
During the air service bidding process, a schedule of 12 fights per week was worked out between Delta and SkyWest, according to Anderson. Flights will depart the Falls airport daily at 5:04 a.m. and arrive daily at 9:17 p.m. Every day, except Tuesday and Saturday, will have noon-hour flights arriving at 12:07 p.m. and departing at 12:32 p.m.
Anderson said Monday’s arrival of SouthWest was a surprise — but a pleasant one.
“We weren’t certain exactly (when service would begin) because the U.S. DOT had issued a hold-in for Delta for a longer period,” he explained. “But, everything is going forward without a hitch.”
SkyWest Airlines, headquartered in St. George, Utah, has a fleet of 318 aircraft and partners with carriers including Delta Airlines. Anderson emphasized link between SkyWest and Delta, and said the relationship with Delta will continue locally.
“(SkyWest) is a solid regional air carrier and will be flying under the Delta logo with a partnership with Delta so that service out of Minneapolis-St. Paul will continue as it has for quite a number of years,” Anderson told The Journal in September. “For decades that service out of the Twin Cities with Northwest (Airlines) and then Delta has been very, very good service.”
Anderson said airport commission members are excited that SkyWest will provide service to the community and he expects the relationship with SkyWest officials will be a “good one.”
“This is good for the community and all the travelers departing International Falls or coming into the community,” he said.
The process to select a new air carrier began in the summer of 2010 when Delta announced it would stop providing service when a new carrier was selected.
Great Lakes Aviation secured the bid to serve the Falls, but withdrew its bid because it was unable to work out a business plan and suggested the U.S. DOT seek new bids for the route.
“That was when SkyWest stepped forward to give that service to International Falls,” said Anderson. “We are very, very pleased to have SkyWest as a commercial air service provider in our community. In 2012, jet service in International Falls is a great service for the community and for the entire region.”
