WORLAND – A representative of the U.S Department of Transportation responded to the early indication that Worland will not receive essential air service.

Public Affairs Specialist Caitlin Harvey with the U.S. Department of Transportation said in an email, “Worland was not left off the list for EAS proposals, per se.”

During Tuesday’s council meeting Worland Mayor Dave Duffy reported on a meeting he had with two Aeronautics Division employees from the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT). He reported that the WYDOT employees told him Worland was left off the list of request for proposals for essential air service that had recently gone out.

He said they “weren’t very enthusiastic about our [Worland’s] possibility of receiving our EAS [essential air service] funding.

“That doesn’t mean it’s definitely dead, but it’s a pretty good indicator that it’s not going to happen,” Duffy said. He added, “They told me there has never been a community who has had the 1,100 per passenger subsidy that had their EAS funding restored.”

Harvey said, “Worland exceeded the $1,000 per passenger subsidy cap in FY2015, and the Department issued a tentative show cause Order terminating their Essential Air Service. There is no waiver from the $1,000 cap,” Harvey said.

She said that in prior years, proposals for Laramie and Worland were issued at the same time.  However, in light of the tentative termination order, the Department did not solicit proposals with Laramie.

She added, “Objections (for the termination) have been received from the Worland community and the Department is currently reviewing them.”

“We plan to issue a final Order in the coming weeks,” Harvey said.

In addition to a formal resolution approved the city council and sent to the Department of Transportation. The USDOT received an objection for the termination Governor Matt Mead.

Mead stated in his letter, “The substandard operational performance by the operating airline carrier at Worland stems from regulatory changes that have caused the rapid decline in passenger traffic during 2015.

“Undesirable operating economics, also stemming from these changes, have increased the cost per enplaned passenger substantially from historic levels. The adoption of new 14 CFR 121 pilot experience requirements in August 2013, and new 14 CFR 117 crew rest requirements in January 2014 have caused Worland (like many other EAS communities served by Great Lakes Airlines) a detrimental drop in the quality of its air service as a result of pilot staffing shortages. Since August 2013, EAS service from Worland Municipal Airport has averaged below industry standard (with a 25% cancellation rate and an on-time performance average of just 58 percent).

“Great Lakes Airlines began operating 19 seat aircraft in a 9 seat configuration in June 2015. This equates to a 53 percent loss in revenue generating capacity. This translates into a higher subsidy per passenger at an airport already facing a decline in enplanements from external factors. Previous history reveals a cost per passenger well below the $1,000 eligibility threshold.

“I urge the Department of Transportation to reconsider any termination of Worland from the Essential Air Service program. Air service provides a vital economic link to the community.”

Other objections submitted to the USDOT website included the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission, Sen. Hank Coe and Wyoming State Legislative leadership, Washakie Development Association, Worland resident Vicky Gopp and Riverton Regional Airport Manager Kyle Jacob Butterfield.

Butterfield wrote, “The EAS program was instituted to help ensure that regional and rural communities would maintain access the national air transportation network. Should the Department of Transportation terminate the subsidy to Worland Municipal Airport, it would adversely impact the ability of that community to access this national network. Furthermore, this termination would very likely impact the level of access that Riverton Regional Airport would have to the network. Without the $2,327,987 EAS contract to fly to Worland, Wyoming, I fear Great Lakes Airlines will be less incentivized to service Fremont County through Riverton Regional Airport. Thus, the termination of EAS to Worland Municipal Airport will negatively affect two Wyoming communities.”

Gopp wrote, “Without commercial air service out of Worland it will increase the isolation of citizens in the Big Horn Basin. I am 67 years old and I love the Worland area as a quality place to live however when I looked at my transportation options in the fall I felt a sense of isolation and despair. I had to wonder about my travel options when I no longer feel I can drive the Wyoming winter roads safely. Not only for me but for all of the citizens of the Big Horn Basin I hope that you continue the Essential Air Service Eligibly as it is a much needed service to our community.”

Included in the City of Worland’s resolution were letters from local business owners and community leaders including Ten Sleep Mayor Jack Haggerty.