From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

October 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson Announces SkyWest Contract Award for Cedar City Airport

Washington D.C.—Congressman Jim Matheson announced today that the air service contract for Cedar City Airport has been awarded to SkyWest Airlines.  The U.S. Department of Transportation selected the St. George-based carrier as the Essential Air Service provider for Cedar City for the next two years.

“Reliable and affordable air service is a critically important part of Cedar City’s economic development.  I am very pleased for the community that SkyWest will once again be serving the travel needs of residents and visitors alike,” said Matheson.

Matheson noted that after Air Midwest filed notice last May to suspend its service, the federal agency requested new proposals.  SkyWest offered two options to serve Cedar City to Salt Lake City, both using 30-seat Embraer Brasilia turboprop aircraft. The Department of Transportation selected the two-round-trip-per-day option, at an annual subsidy of $1.2 million.

The Essential Air Service program provides subsidies directly to air carriers for providing service between selected small communities and hub airports.  About 170 communities in the U.S. participate in the EAS program.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)