02.15.11

Durbin Expresses Support For Cape Air

Success of airline could lead to more good paying jobs in Western Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today expressed his support for Cape Air’s application to provide long-term service at Quincy Regional Airport that would likely lead to the airline moving maintenance and other associated work to the region – a prospect that could add good paying jobs to Western Illinois. Late last week, the City of Quincy Aeronautics Committee voted unanimously to support Cape Air’s proposal and the Mayor of Quincy, John Spring, relayed that support in a letter to the Department of Transportation.

“Cape Air has provided safe, frequent, and affordable air service in and out of Quincy,” wrote Durbin. “A four year contract will allow for stability within the region and will maintain the quality service that the community has come to expect. Please give Cape Air every consideration when reviewing its EAS application.

Since Cape Air began providing air service to Quincy in November 2009, the airport has seen a significant increase in traffic. The airline has served over 14,000 passengers to and from St. Louis, with that number expected to grow to over 20,000 in the next year.

On October 22, 2009 Durbin and Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that Cape Air was awarded the Essential Air Service (EAS) contracts in Marion/Herrin and Quincy. Under the contract, Cape Air is required to provide thirty-six trips per week to St. Louis for two years. This announcement followed a request from both members that the DOT initiate a process of finding a new carrier for service. The DOT previously held a contract with Great Lakes Aviation which failed to negotiate a critical codeshare agreement with American Airlines – a key component of the communities’ support for Great Lakes Aviation’s application to become the EAS provider in those areas.



[Text of the letter below]


February 15, 2011


Mr. Kevin Schlemmer
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590


Dear Mr. Schlemmer:

I am writing in support of Cape Air’s application to provide long-term service under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program at Quincy Regional Airport. The proposed contract with the City of Quincy, Illinois would provide six daily flights over a four year period and has the strong support of city and community leaders.

Since Cape Air began providing air service to Quincy in November 2009, the airport has seen a significant increase in traffic. The airline has served over 14,000 passengers to and from St. Louis, with that number expected to grow to over 20,000 in the next year, illustrating the airline’s broad support within the region. Quincy has not had as much success with previous carriers and is eager to maintain and grow the type of reliable service Cape Air has consistently provided to the community.

The proposed contract also contains several new benefits that will enhance the airline’s ability to serve passengers in the Tri-State area. Cape Air would open a new ticket office in downtown Quincy, which would increase the visibility of the airport and the airline. Moreover, a long-term contract for Cape Air would likely lead to the airline moving maintenance and other associated work to Quincy Regional Airport – a prospect that could add good paying jobs to Western Illinois.

Cape Air has provided safe, frequent, and affordable air service in and out of Quincy. A four year contract will allow for stability within the region and will maintain the quality service that the community has come to expect. Please give Cape Air every consideration when reviewing its EAS application.


Thank you for your attention to this matter.


Sincerely,

Richard J. Durbin