U. S. transportation dept. selects Gulfstream for Essential Air

Zach White

The Department of Transportation has announced its final decision in changing Montana's Essential Air Service provider to Gulfstream International Airlines.

The decision, issued on Monday but not served until this morning, follows the 6-1-vote recommendation of the Montana Essential Air Service Task Force last month that Gulfstream replace the current EAS provider, Great Lakes Airlines, for an annual subsidy of $10.9 million.

This is a $2.7 million, 33 percent increase from the last contract's subsidy with Great Lakes. Though Great Lakes' proposal to continue service requested a $10.7 million subsidy.

Gerry Grabofsky, the Havre-area representative on the task force, believes that this change will be positive for the community.

"I think it's going to be a good deal, " Grabofsky said. "It should be a better service. They won't be skipping flights as often and when there are people flying to Billings, they won't get stuck there. "

Gulfstream's proposal included the elimination of Great Lakes' Havre-Denver connection.

Great Lakes started the Denver flights in November, though shortly after the task force recommendation last month, Great Lakes announced the Denver flights would end on Feb. 10.

Grabofsky said that the loss of the Denver line would be disappointing for some, but will be better for most.

"There are some people that are upset with that, especially with things like oil exploration, " Grabofsky said. "But I think the other residents are much more satisfied with the Billings route because they go down there for the medical care. Some people do their legal work there. I think it's going to be good. "

Tim Solomon, Havre's mayor and representative on the Havre-Hill County Airport Board, is also glad to see the return of Billings service. Solomon had been wary of the change when it was first being discussed last fall.

"I think it's a great move, especially considering the experience we've had with the other one, " Solomon said. "From what I see they have a good history, so I feel it will be an improvement. "

Mickey Bowman, Gulfstream's vice president of corporate development, said the airline is honored about the announcement and is busy getting ready for the changeover, scheduled for May 1.

"We've been sort of biding our time until the DOT made their decision. Now we have to get busy, " Bowman said. "We will come to individual communities and talk with people about how to improve service.

"We are excited to be Montana's new Essential Air Service carrier, " Bowman added.

Bowman said the airline is already working on establishing an aircraft service center in Billings, either with Gulfstream's own technicians or subcontracting with established repair companies already in Billings.

Gulfstream is also preparing planes in Florida for the change, including painting the planes and replacing seat covers.

If Gulfstream is not entirely ready to begin service on May 1, the DOT letter specifies that Great Lakes will continue providing EAS until their replacement is ready.

Bowman said that clause is standard procedure and probably wouldn't be necessary.

"We're going to do everything possible to be ready around May 1. "

Editor's Note: See related story on rural air subsidies on page A5.