From the Office of Utah Congressman Jim Matheson

MATHESON NEWS
Second Congressional District

For Further Information
Alyson Heyrend: (801) 455-5593 (cell)
www.house.gov/matheson

January 25, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cedar Airline Contract Announced by Department of Transportation

Matheson Expresses Concern

Washington DC-Congressman Jim Matheson said today he has received notice that the federal Department of Transportation has awarded the Essential Air Service contract for the Cedar City Airport to Mesa Airlines. 

Matheson said he has concerns.  He had written to DOT in support of Cedar City's desire to have the contract include daily service between Cedar City and Salt Lake City.  Mesa Airline proposes daily flights from Cedar City to Las Vegas, plus additional service to Phoenix.

"Cedar City hopes to become independent of the EAS program," Matheson wrote. "However, self-sufficiency for a small airport is directly tied to enplanements and in this case, flights to Salt Lake City are a critical element in the record traffic in and out of the Cedar airport."

Matheson said he hoped that Mesa would consider adding Salt Lake City service.

The Essential Air Service program provides subsidies directly to air carriers for providing service between selected small communities and hub airports.  About 170 communities in the U.S. participate in the EAS program.

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Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 East Morris Ave. #235
South Salt Lake, UT 84115
(801) 486-1236 (phone)
(801) 455-5593 (cell)
(801) 486-1417 (fax)