JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WJAC) — The Johnstown-Cambria County Airport Authority confirmed they are searching for a new airliner as regional airports across the U.S. were recently notified by SkyWest Airlines that they will be terminating their Essential Air Service contracts.
The Airport Authority said in a release sent to 6 News Wednesday that the search is already underway to provide a new carrier to the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport. SkyWest signed a contract that began in December 2020 and was to last until 2023 to provide services through the federal subsidy program for United Airlines flights to Washington Dulles International Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
"As a result of an ongoing pilot staffing imbalance across the industry, SkyWest expects to discontinue service in several markets beginning this summer," a SkyWest Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to 6 News. "We appreciate our partnerships and the support of these communities, and we are committed to delivering a solid, reliable product to each of them through this transition."
Federal data shows the airport increased passenger volumes in 2021 to the highest levels seen at JST since 2007, which the board's chairman Rick McQuaide said positions them very well to attract high-quality air carriers.
"We’ve already had meetings with multiple airlines," McQuaide said. "We’re looking for another jet service operator and over the next 90 days, we plan to take proposals, select a carrier, and get them implemented."
McQuaide said that for several years the board only got proposals from airlines like Southern Airways and Boutique Air, with single-engine planes carrying less than 10 people. SkyWest's 50-passenger jets and United's worldwide connections, combined with their efforts to aggressively market the airport, led to huge growth even during the pandemic, with McQuaide fully expecting air service to double in 2022 before SkyWest's decision to withdraw service.
"Obviously that huge capacity made a huge difference for us," McQuaide said. "The connection opportunities originating in Johnstown were 100 times better than the previous operator had."
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Request for Proposals for air carriers to provide E.A.S. to Johnstown and other affected airports. SkyWest will continue providing service for at least the next 90-days and beyond until a new carrier is in place.
McQuaide said while there is no guarantee a jet service will win the contract, he is confident that the board will do all it can to exhaust every effort to get the right carrier in there to continue that type of service.
"Be patient with us as we sort through this mess and select a new carrier," McQuaide said.
The release said passengers with any questions about current bookings should contact United Airlines or SkyWest.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfqLKivsKhZJ%2BnomK7psOMnqqsnZ6ptqK4jJqgq2Wjmr%2B3tcKeZJyZoqe2pr6MrqWdnaKsrrp5xaipZqKfnbu0wM6wpWaZmae9sL7T