In Shift of Plans, SkyWest To Remain in Mason City Indefinitely

Mar. 15—SkyWest won't take off as quickly as previously thought.

Last week, SkyWest Airlines announced that it had given its 90-day notice of termination of service to 29 airports in the United States, including Mason City DOT requires SkyWest to remain until new provider is chosen Municipal Airport.

However, airport manager David Sims announced Monday at the airport's monthly commission meeting that SkyWest was going nowhere — for now.

Sims said the U.S. Department of Transportation required SkyWest to remain in Mason City until the airport had a new service provider confirmed.

"The DOT responded quickly Friday with a letter prohibiting them from terminating service," Sims said. "At least until the process for seeking a new airline is completed."

SkyWest currently provides Mason City with daily service to and from Chicago O'Hare International Airport.

Sims told the airport commission SkyWest's decision was entirely due to the pilot shortage cited in SkyWest's press release, and had nothing to do with any performance issues.

Sims said passenger enplanements in February were up 13% compared with February 2019 and the airport's general usage had been up over the past year.

"We continue to see month-to-month increases in passenger traffic since SkyWest has been here," Sims said. "We were really hopeful to see that continue."

While Mason City may have SkyWest for more than 90 days, the airline's notice of termination still leaves the airport in need of a new provider.

The search for a new provider has begun, according to Sims. The DOT is in charge of soliciting bids for the service, but Mason City is allowed to reach out to potential providers to encourage applications, with the deadline for applications on Monday, April 11.

Sims also said SkyWest's decision would not impact the airport terminal expansion program.

"We don't believe it will have any impact at this point," Sims said. "We are intending to go ahead and proceed with the project."

He added that the airport had recently decided to pursue a grant possibility for the terminal project.

The bipartisan infrastructure funding bill, according to Sims, had $5 billion set aside for new terminal development. Mason City Municipal Airport has put together an application seeking $13 million for its terminal project.

If awarded, the grant would fund the entirety of the MCA terminal project, as opposed to the $12 million in CARES funding planned to be used.

The deadline for that application is at the end of the month, with grant recipients to be selected in June or July.

SkyWest began serving Mason City on a three-year Essential Air Service Contract on March 1, 2021.

SkyWest also will discontinue service in Fort Dodge and Sioux City, but the DOT's ruling also applies to those airports.

Zachary Dupont covers local government and business development for the Globe Gazette. You can reach him at 641-421-0533 or [email protected]. Follow Zachary on Twitter at @ZachNDupont

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