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Crow Wing County Board backs SkyWest/Delta as preferred carrier for essential air service
Summary
After a briefing from Brainerd Lakes Area Airport representatives, the county board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution supporting SkyWest (Delta Connection) as the community’s preferred carrier in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rebid of Essential Air Service for Brainerd.
Crow Wing County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously adopted a resolution recording community support for SkyWest Airlines operating as Delta Connection to continue subsidized service between Brainerd and Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
Airport leaders told the board the Essential Air Service (EAS) contract — a federal subsidy program created after aviation deregulation — was being rebid and that two carriers had submitted proposals. They urged the county to send a formal letter of support to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help secure Delta/SkyWest as the subsidized provider.
The airport’s interim director, Veil Blanzer, told the board the community preferred SkyWest because it provides a “co‑share” (co‑chair/co‑share) experience on Delta’s reservation network, which makes connections and baggage transfers more seamless for passengers traveling beyond Minneapolis–Saint Paul. “If there’s a disruption to service, the interline has much less responsibility. The co‑share has a lot more responsibility getting you on another flight, making sure that your, bags are all taken care of,” Blanzer said.
Why it matters: Brainerd’s EAS service provides regional connectivity that airport officials said supports roughly $30 million in annual economic activity and about 280 jobs (per a study cited by airport staff). Airport commissioners and Brainerd city leaders described the morning flight window — an early departure so travelers can make same‑day connections in Minneapolis — as critical for medical appointments and onward travel.
Airport presenters said two carriers bid: Delta via SkyWest and Denver Air Connection. Blanzer said Denver Air Connection’s bid was slightly lower, but community preference and the co‑share benefits of Delta/SkyWest made the Delta option more desirable. The airport commission and Brainerd City Council both voted unanimously in favor of recommending SkyWest/Delta; the county board adopted the same position by resolution. The county’s resolution will be included in the DOT record as community input for the rebid process.
Airport staff asked the county to submit a letter of support to DOT by the deadlines set during the rebid; Blanzer said the community should try to submit letters well before the DOT cutoff so the record is complete.
The board’s vote: Commissioner Coring moved to adopt the resolution supporting SkyWest/Delta; Commissioner Luebke seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice vote.
What the resolution does — and does not — do: The county resolution records the board’s preference and becomes part of the DOT administrative record for awarding the EAS contract. It does not itself award or negotiate the federal subsidy nor guarantee airline service; DOT makes the final contract award based on proposals and community input.
Speakers and documentation: Airport staff left printed materials with the county and provided a draft letter the county could use to start its submission. County staff said they would forward any letter the board sends to the airport so the airport can send duplicate copies to DOT.
Next steps: County staff and airport representatives said they would gather and submit letters of community support to the DOT on the schedule determined in the rebid. The board did not identify any additional formal follow‑up beyond adopting the resolution and sharing letters.
