The Airport Commission voted decisively on Monday night to endorse SkyWest Airlines’ proposal for regional air service and pass it to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The commission voted 6-1 in approval of SkyWest’s bid to see the airlines operate as United Express.
SkyWest’s three-year proposal ensures the Chippewa Valley will be connected with Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, providing 12 weekly non-stop roundtrips. These would utilize CRJ-200 regional jet aircraft to offer a direct route to one of the busiest air travel hubs in the nation.
The decision comes as Sun Country Airlines’ current service contract nears its expiration date of November 30th. Another competitive proposal was submitted by Sun Country, which committed to serving the community until September 30, 2028. This bid for a minimum of three weekly flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was to be conducted using Boeing 737 aircraft. Along with the foregoing, Sun Country proposed non-stop service to rotating seasonal destinations that included Fort Myers and Orlando in Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada.
While Sun Country did clearly provide extended service and seasonal variety, the final voting results clearly indicated that the commission liked the proposal of SkyWest. This change of service provider and destination hub is recommended as major for air travel in this region.
While this is a big step, the ultimate authority leaves the decision to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The federal agency considers both proposals, along with the recommendation from the Airport Commission, before determining which airline will ultimately serve Chippewa Valley in the years ahead.
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Local travelers and businesses alike share in this interest since such a seemingly simple choice between one city or the other as a major hub could hold significant regional implications for accessibility and economic ties.
While everyone waits for the Department of Transportation’s final word on this matter, everyone is likely to keep a careful eye on the possibility of travel changes for, among other places, the Chippewa Valley.