More Wyoming air service negotiations underway

Members of a previously appointed state legislative group and other air service experts have selected SkyWest Airlines to enter into negotiations for a long-term contract to provide air service to as many as four Wyoming cities.

A selection committee consisting of two Wyoming legislators, who served on the Commercial Air Service Improvement Council, two aeronautics commissioners and other air service experts worked with the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Procurement Office in the selection of SkyWest Airlines to enter into negotiations to provide air service to Gillette, Riverton, Rock Springs and Sheridan.

The committee found the SkyWest/United Express proposal to be the best choice to continue carrying out the mission and accomplishing the goals of the Commercial Air Service Improvement Plan.

Details of the contract and service, which would be branded United Express and operated by SkyWest, will be negotiated next.

The selection of SkyWest airlines is a significant milestone in the state’s Commercial Air Service Improvement Plan.

The plan was developed by the Commercial Air Service Improvement Council, which was formed by the Wyoming legislature in the 2018 legislative session and included 11 community and legislative stakeholders from around the state. The council’s mission was to develop a long-term plan that provides recommendations on how to achieve more efficient, stable, reliable air service in the state of Wyoming.

In addition to the plan, the council crafted a request for proposal for airline service to Gillette, Riverton, Rock Springs and Sheridan with the goal of increasing the efficiency of funding spent on air service and creating a structure to successfully retain and grow air service in the future.