By Kerri Rempp
If the U.S. Department of Transportation follows the city’s recommendation, Chadron will get a new airline in 2025.
The council unanimously voted to recommend Denver Air as the essential air service provider Monday, seeking to replace Southern Airways Express.
“This is a recommendation to the Department of Transportation. The ultimate decision rests with the federal government,” said Mayor George Klein.
Denver Air rose to the top of the four proposals submitted based on several factors, said Planning and Zoning Administrator Janet Johnson. The company is based in Denver and has pilots familiar and comfortable with the local weather. The city has struggled with Southern Air pilots not wanting to land if there was a little bit of snow, Johnson said.
“(Denver Air pilots) are used to that type of conditions,” she said. The airline will also offer a pressurized plan with more room for baggage, including skiing and hunting equipment that could not be accommodated on the Southern Air plan. Denver Air currently services Alliance, but Johsnon said the proposal for Chadron includes direct service between the city and Denver without a stop in Alliance.
“Those were all the factors we thought were very important,” Johnson said. Vice Mayor Shane Shepherd said he has used Denver Air out of Alliance and has been impressed with the smooth, reliable flights.
The city also received proposals from Contour, Southern Airways Express and Boutique Air. Denver Air met with city staff in person, and Contour conducted a Zoom meeting with them.
The other two airlines submitted paper proposals only, Johnson said.
“The money part of it was all over the board. We’re told not to look at that very much. We’re supposed to evaluate them on what they can provide to our community,” Johnson said. Southern Airways current contract expires this spring, and Mayor George Klein said he expects the Department of Transportation to notify the city of its choice in the coming months.