Air Service Switch Dismays Some Prescott Residents

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (AP) -- Some residents were dismayed to learn this week that the state will be shifting Prescott's contract for commercial air service from longtime carrier Mesa Airlines to Great Lakes Airlines.

Mesa has an affiliation that allows it to tie in with America West, local officials say, but Great Lakes has no such Arizona connection with a major airline.

Passengers taking Great Lakes flights currently land at a gate outside of Sky Harbor Airport's Terminal 2, and must retrieve their baggage and go through airport security if they're getting on a flight on another airline. Mesa Airlines customers arrive at Terminal 4 in a secure area and don't have to go through security again.

''I've had an amazing amount of feedback,'' said Mayor Rowle Simmons, who notes he's gotten e-mails and telephone calls opposed to the change. ''Everybody's saying, 'Is there anything we can we do?'''

The state decision to award the air contract for Prescott came despite an earlier unanimous recommendation by the Prescott City Council to maintain the local service with Mesa Airlines.

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Information from: The Daily Courier, http://www.prescottaz.com/pdc/courier.htm