Cape Air proposes six daily round trips in contract bid

Cape Air is proposing six daily round trips, a downtown storefront ticket office and a lengthier four-year contract as part of its bid to continue providing federally subsidized air service at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.

But the Hyannis, Mass.-based company, which began offering flights locally in November 2009, would stick with the status quo -- four daily round trips and a two-year contract -- if the U.S. Department of Transportation insists on it.

The Cape Girardeau City Council is recommending Cape Air to continue its service when the current Essential Air Service contract expires in November.

The council is following in the footsteps of the city's airport advisory board, which also recommends Cape Air get the contract over the other applicant, Air Choice One, which has corporate headquarters in St. Louis.

The ultimate decision belongs to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which is expected to award a new contract by mid-March, said airport manager Bruce Loy. He said the department rarely diverges from the wishes of communities, which are expressed through the city council.

"We're more than delighted with Cape Air's service," Loy said. "When it comes to Air Choice One, it's the known versus the unknown. There's no reason in the world for us to part ways with a company that has given us this good of an experience."

Cape Air is offering two proposals. The first is four daily round trips to St. Louis. The second option is for six daily round trips to St. Louis. Both have the option of being two- or four-year contracts.

Both proposals include a city ticket office to increase the visibility of the airport and air service in the community, Loy said. Cape Air also plans to provide an interterminal shuttle, which would create "seamless connections" between terminals without requiring passengers to clear security again once at Lambert International Airport.

Air Choice One's proposal calls for two options as well, including four daily flights to St. Louis or two flights to St. Louis and two flights to Memphis.

Cape Air has added an incentive to the department to award a four-year contract, in the form of a discount in annual subsidies, said Leslie Myrbeck, Cape Air's director of community relations. An annual subsidy will be given to Cape Air of $1.66 million for a two-year contract or $1.62 million for a four-year contract.

"Having a longer-term commitment enhances stability," Myrbeck said. "A two-year contract allows us to plan better. There's a lot to be said for consistency and stability."

Six round-trip flights instead of four simply provide another option for customers, she said.

Cape Air has seen success in Cape Girardeau, which had several years of spotty service from previous carriers. In December, Cape Air transported 955 passengers, the single highest monthly passenger count since it began operations here. For 2010, Cape Air carried more than 9,000 passengers.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, Cape Girardeau, MO