Our Turn
By HDN Editorial Board
Big Sky Airlines has a poor reputation among some Havre residents. It's difficult to tell if it's deserved or not.
Some people here think the airline has a record of canceling flights, and has done a poor job of notifying passengers when they are going to be inconvenienced.
The airline has launched a public relations effort to prove to potential customers that it's doing a good job. Airline vice president Craig Denney was in Havre on Thursday to meet with local business people and residents.
The airline's flight completion rate is up, he said, and is higher than the national average.
Denney wisely acknowledged that the airline could do much better when it comes to telling people about delayed or canceled flights. One proposal was to set up a phone line with up-to-date information about arriving and departing flights.
Airline president Kim Champney even promised, during a meeting in Billings Wednesday, to track down business customers staying overnight in Havre about problems with flights, even if it means calling every hotel in town.
It's productive that the airline's people aren't being defensive or arrogant, and are publicly recognizing they provide a public service.
We need the little airline to get to business meetings, reach medical appointments, or just make trips out of state more convenient.
Let's give Big Sky Airlines a chance to make good on its promises.
