SkyWest prepares to return air service to Grant County

Flights could begin June 1

MOSES LAKE - SkyWest Airlines, a partner with United Airlines, may provide air service from Moses Lake to Seattle starting June 1.

But first the airline needs $500,000 in pledges from businesses and individuals to do so.

The pledges are agreements to spend money in air travel with SkyWest, United or associated airlines. The money would be held in a bank and VISA cards issued to people making the pledges to use for future travel.

A company pledging funds can use the money through the card for any type of travel with SkyWest or any of their partner airlines, be it a business trip or employee vacation.

The Port of Moses Lake, the Grant County Economic Development Council (EDC) and the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce will be holding recruitment meetings to generate 50 to 100 businesses from the Columbia Basin pledging money for future airline use by Jan. 30.

The minimum pledge is $2,500 and is considered a commitment by the business community to support the service, according to information provided by the Port of Moses Lake.

If sufficient commitment is made, a 30-seat Embraer Brasilia 120 turboprop aircraft would start flying from the Grant County International Airport to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on June 1, said Grant County Economic Development Council Executive Director Terry Brewer Tuesday.

SkyWest hasn't finished its commitment to provide service, but if it does, it would operate as United Express, said Port of Moses Lake Executive Manager Craig Baldwin on Tuesday.

"We have a lot of work to do," he said. "The community's worked hard and it's definitely promising."

Brewer said he and Baldwin met with a vice president of SkyWest three weeks ago.

During a two-hour meeting, they talked about why SkyWest would offer air service between Moses Lake and Seattle.

"We came away with positive feelings," Brewer said.

Future meetings are planned in Othello and Ephrata, as well as other gatherings to obtain pledges, he said.

If the airline comes to Moses Lake, it's possible that two flights a day would be planned to Seattle. Eighty-eight people must use the flights daily in order for the airline to break even, Baldwin said.

Baldwin said the airline is part of the Star Alliance, which has access to international flights. The next step is to obtain the money and the EDC will lead the charge.

The port proposed $750,000 to SkyWest as a revenue guarantee, with the U.S. Department of Transportation committing to provide $475,000 for a one-time small community air services grant, Baldwin said. The port board intends to consider providing the remaining $275,000, Baldwin said.

He recognized Eugene, Ore., consultants Mead & Hunt Inc. for their work on the project.

About 10 jobs would be added at the airport, including positions with the airline and Homeland Security, Baldwin said.

The airline travel bank concept is used by the Pensacola-Atlanta AirTran Airways, as well as in Eugene, Ore., and in other Pacific Northwest communities for Delta Air Lines' service to Salt Lake City.

For more information, contact the EDC at 509-764-6579, Port of Moses Lake at 509-762-5363 or Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce at 509-765-7888.