Daines and Tester Demand Answers from Biden Administration after 19 Months of Radio Silence on SkyWest’s Commuter Application
Both Urge Prompt Review of SkyWest’s Commuter Authority Request Amidst Ongoing Pilot Shortages
By Denise Rivette
Montana’s U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester are pressuring the Biden Administration to provide answers regarding SkyWest Airlines’ application for commuter authority for its charter business, SkyWest Charter. Due to a pilot shortage, regional and rural routes are losing service. In an effort to maintain service through the subsidized Essential Air Service to Montana communities such as Butte and West Yellowstone, SkyWest has requested that its charter business be certified for commuter service. If granted, SkyWest Charter would be able to use pilots with fewer flight hours.
Yesterday, Daines sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Carol Petsonk demanding answers from the Biden administration on its failure to review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for Commuter Air Carrier Authorization. Many Montana communities rely on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has idled unresolved at the agency for 19 months.
Daines wrote, “I write today regarding my ongoing concerns with the impact declining access to small community air service is having on Montana and to seek immediate action on SkyWest Charter’s application for a Commuter Air Carrier Authorization. Communities across the state rely on this vital service and face severe economic hardship if action is not taken immediately to provide relief.”
“As you know, SkyWest is seeking commuter authority in an effort to combat the ongoing pilot shortage while continuing to provide and expand air service to small communities across the country. Although SkyWest’s application was submitted to your agency more than a year-and-a-half ago, no action has been taken on your part since. This is despite my June 2023 letter to you on this subject and other outreach from various Montana community groups that are directly impacted by your lack of action on this matter. Air service is not a luxury for many rural Montanans, but rather a necessity. Without reliable air service, they often cannot access critical medical services and many communities rely upon the economic lifeline it provides. Communities like Butte and West Yellowstone stand to bear the brunt of the negative consequences from continued inaction, including hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars of economic activity lost.”
Senator Tester has spoken directly with Secretary Buttigieg and urged the Department of Transportation to provide answers to SkyWest Charter on their application for Commuter Air Carrier Authorization.
Senator Tester stated, “Small community air service is critical to the safety and success of communities across rural Montana. Companies like SkyWest have provided vital services to Montana communities, and it’s important that their application for Commuter Air Carrier Authorization receives full consideration so that rural communities can remain connected. Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good government, and I’ll continue to push the Department of Transportation to provide swift answers on this matter.”
SkyWest is an exceptional airline, flying regional jets. Many pilots fly for SkyWest their entire career, many pilots build flight hours at SkyWest, or airlines similar to SkyWest, and then move on to larger carriers. And yes, with pilot retirements and some airlines having record load factors, qualified airmen and airwomen are in demand. And there is no doubt that essential air service can be the lifeblood of smaller communities. The question is, are less hours of pilot logged flight time the answer? New hires, after successful training, become first officers, sitting in the right seat, second in command. They learn more and more from their experienced captains, and from flying the aircraft themselves. Should the bar be lowered to fill those right seats, (acknowledgingly with pilots who do successfully complete their training, which in itself is daunting)? Or should the current bar remain where it is? I do not know who all is in this conversation. I would suggest that in addition to our two senators, the F.A.A. and SkyWest's senior pilots also have a voice in this discussion, and eventual decision.