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Public questions SkyWest minimum revenue guarantee as Casper airport reports rising passengers
Summary
A public commenter at the March 3 Casper council meeting questioned taxpayer support for a SkyWest/Delta minimum revenue guarantee and noted the airport reported 103,763 passengers in 2025; councilors pointed to the airport annual report and said MRG application can vary by route.
A member of the public raised questions about the city's prior support for a minimum revenue guarantee (MRG) for a SkyWest/Delta connection and said he believes government should not be "funding private businesses." The speaker recalled that the council once approved $400,000 toward maintaining the SkyWest/Delta connection to Salt Lake and cited an airport press release showing 103,763 passengers in 2025.
Councilors responded by pointing to the airport annual report included in the meeting packet and noting reporting differences between routes: one councilor clarified the MRG discussed earlier applied to Delta flights to Salt Lake rather than United flights. Another councilor referenced a Cowboy State Daily article about Gillette dropping its MRG after increased success there as context for how airports may alter subsidy strategies.
No formal action was taken on airport subsidies in the meeting record; councilors encouraged continued public engagement and review of packet materials for detailed figures.
Why it matters: Minimum revenue guarantees are city commitments that can use public funds to support air service deemed important for economic connections; changes in passenger volumes can affect whether such subsidies remain necessary.
What comes next: Councilors and staff referenced the airport annual report and indicated they would continue to monitor airport performance and funding options; no new subsidy action was taken at the meeting.
