2008 Woodie Awards
Air carrier wants out of contract
Cella, Reneé
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
Air Midwest, the air service provider for Kirksville Regional Airport, recently informed the Department of Transportation that it wanted out of its contract, but MoDOT is holding the company to the contract for now.
Air Midwest signed a two-year contract with Kirksville Regional Airport in November of 2006. Steve Bell, Kirksville community services director, said the company notified the Department of Transportation on Jan. 4 that it wanted to end its service at the airport in Kirksville within the next 90 days, knowing that it would not incur a penalty for breaking the contract.
Sophomore Nick Schlichtman, who plays on the Truman soccer team, said that if air service to Kirksville stops, his parents might not get to see him play soccer.
"My parents live 5 1/2 hours away," he said. "It would be rare for them to come see a [soccer] game. But with having an airport so close, my Dad can fly himself and my family up here in and hour or so, watch my game and then head back home."
However, Schlichtman's concerns might never become a reality - at least not because of cancelled air service.
"The Department of [Transportation] will make [Air Midwest] continue to provide air service at least until we find a replacement," said David Hall, Kirksville Regional Airport manager. "They may even have to continue providing service until their contract is up."
Hall said Air Midwest, which is a subsidiary of Mesa Airlines, not only is trying to get out of its contract with Kirksville's airport but also is trying to drop several other small airports.
"[Air Midwest] is making a change in their service nationwide, so the fact that they are trying to get out of so many airport contracts has nothing to do with Kirksville or the other cities," Hall said. "It's just a change in company direction."
Even though Air Midwest will have to continue its service with Kirksville Regional Airport, the search for a replacement has begun.
"The Department of Transportation has put out a Feb. 29 deadline," Bell said. "We won't know until then what company has the highest bid. Usually companies wait until the end so they don't get out-bid."
However, there is an early frontrunner in the bidding over who will be the next to provide airline services for Kirksville.
"Great Lakes Airlines has shown early interest but seems to be on the fence," Hall said.
The new air service provider will be required to do what Air Midwest did in the past, which is to provide 12 Kirksville-to-Kansas City round-trip flights each week, Hall said.
Kirksville Regional Airport still is operational, and flights can be booked by visiting the airport's Web site at Kirksvillecity.com.
Air Midwest signed a two-year contract with Kirksville Regional Airport in November of 2006. Steve Bell, Kirksville community services director, said the company notified the Department of Transportation on Jan. 4 that it wanted to end its service at the airport in Kirksville within the next 90 days, knowing that it would not incur a penalty for breaking the contract.
Sophomore Nick Schlichtman, who plays on the Truman soccer team, said that if air service to Kirksville stops, his parents might not get to see him play soccer.
"My parents live 5 1/2 hours away," he said. "It would be rare for them to come see a [soccer] game. But with having an airport so close, my Dad can fly himself and my family up here in and hour or so, watch my game and then head back home."
However, Schlichtman's concerns might never become a reality - at least not because of cancelled air service.
"The Department of [Transportation] will make [Air Midwest] continue to provide air service at least until we find a replacement," said David Hall, Kirksville Regional Airport manager. "They may even have to continue providing service until their contract is up."
Hall said Air Midwest, which is a subsidiary of Mesa Airlines, not only is trying to get out of its contract with Kirksville's airport but also is trying to drop several other small airports.
"[Air Midwest] is making a change in their service nationwide, so the fact that they are trying to get out of so many airport contracts has nothing to do with Kirksville or the other cities," Hall said. "It's just a change in company direction."
Even though Air Midwest will have to continue its service with Kirksville Regional Airport, the search for a replacement has begun.
"The Department of Transportation has put out a Feb. 29 deadline," Bell said. "We won't know until then what company has the highest bid. Usually companies wait until the end so they don't get out-bid."
However, there is an early frontrunner in the bidding over who will be the next to provide airline services for Kirksville.
"Great Lakes Airlines has shown early interest but seems to be on the fence," Hall said.
The new air service provider will be required to do what Air Midwest did in the past, which is to provide 12 Kirksville-to-Kansas City round-trip flights each week, Hall said.
Kirksville Regional Airport still is operational, and flights can be booked by visiting the airport's Web site at Kirksvillecity.com.
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