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Board backs local request to keep SkyWest/Delta service at Brainerd airport
Summary
Brainerd Lakes Area Airport officials told the Crow Wing County board the community supports renewing SkyWest/Delta service under the federal Essential Air Service program; the board adopted a resolution to include the county's support in paperwork to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Brainerd Lakes Area Airport interim director Neil Blanzer told the Crow Wing County Board that the airport commission and the Brainerd city council both voted unanimously to recommend continuing Essential Air Service with SkyWest as the Delta Connection, and he urged the county to add a letter of community support to the Department of Transportation filing. "The essential air services is critical to the community," Blanzer said, noting a prior study that placed the airport's economic contribution at about $30,000,000 and roughly 280 jobs.
The board voted to adopt the resolution presented by the airport commission that designates SkyWest/Delta as the preferred provider and to include that endorsement in the DOT submission. Blanzer and other airport representatives explained the community preference for the Delta co‑brand (seamless booking and stronger interline protections) and said two bidders competed in the rebid; the commissioners asked clarifying questions about the contract length (four years) and the modest four‑year cost difference to the county. The resolution was approved by voice vote and entered into the record for the DOT process.
