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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Both Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Senator John Hoeven along with Representative Cramer have given their full support on the regular and dependable air service to Devils Lake and Jamestown Regional Airports.

Addressing potential concerns that have been raised regarding the approval of Essential Air Service contracts that provide reliable service, the delegation will be meeting with Susan Kurland, DOT Assistant Secretary for AViation and Internal Affairs to discuss recent challenges regarding the current air service to the communities. Devils Lake Mayor Richard Johnson and Jamestown Mayor Katie Anderson, along with the communities’ airport authority leadership, will participate in the meeting as well.

“Both Devils Lake and Jamestown have experienced numerous problems with their current EAS contract, and have communicated an interest in pursuing a new route option to Denver, which will provide a competitive option for customers. Because there are fewer regular routes to Denver from North Dakota, the airports would be well positioned to attract ridership to the nearest major western hub and subsequent connecting cities,” the Delegation wrote to Secretary Foxx.

In the letter addressed to Foxx from the delegation, they stated that, “Concerns have been raised that the communities’ preferred EAS bids fall short of the 12 round trip EAS requirement. We request that you waive this requirement to allow consideration of the EAS bids. The communities have made abundantly clear in their communications with the DOT that they will accept a lower number of round trips in exchange for more reliable service. The preferred EAS bids to Devils Lake and Jamestown would provide daily service, strongly fulfilling the DOT’s mandate to provide the EAS communities with access to the national air transportation system.”