Durbin urges action from airline

By Ashley Wiehle
The Southern

MARION - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin is pushing for service to St. Louis from Williamson County Regional Airport to begin immediately, but airport officials say that will likely begin in May.

Great Lakes Airlines won a multi-airport contract for St. Louis service in mid-March. The Wyoming-based airline was awarded a $3.5 million annual Essential Air Service program subsidy from the U.S. Department of Transportation after current carrier Regions Air ceased operations.

"Without the air service that these downstate communities have come to rely on, basic travel, tourism and economic development has been disrupted," Durbin said in a release. "I strongly urge Great Lakes to make this a priority and begin service as soon as possible."

Regions Air, which served as the manager for carrier American Connections, stopped flying March 8 after Federal Aviation Administration officials noted that their line check airmen were improperly trained.

Doug Kimmel, airport manager for Williamson County, said he and representatives from other airports that will be served by Great Lakes had a positive conference call on Tuesday.

"There is not a determined start date right now, but they are pushing to start the first week or two of May," Kimmel said.

Kimmel said airport officials are hopeful that Great Lakes will provide a welcome change to St. Louis air service. In recent months, Durbin and other officials have criticized Regions for canceled and late flights.

Because Great Lakes will be operating as American Connections, ticket prices likely will not see a change, Kimmel said.

The airport is working with Great Lakes, Kimmel said, to allow consideration for passengers who aren't able to book their tickets in advance and get a cheaper rate.

"When the reservation system is turned back on, I'm hoping American will allow some leeway for people who have immediate travel plans to be able to purchase tickets at an advance rate," Kimmel said.

Williamson County is one of three communities that will be served by Great Lakes when Regions' contract ends: Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Burlington, Iowa, will both use Great Lakes.

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