SkyWest Airlines flights at Joplin Regional Airport will continue to be available for booking after Dec. 31, the airline reports.
City officials said last week they hoped services would continue, but said there were no guarantees.
SkyWest’s corporate communications office said in an email to Globe last week that passengers could continue to book flights to and from Joplin next year using the airline’s website, www.united.com.
“Since announcing the change in March, we have continued to work with authorities to maintain service in Joplin,” SkyWest said in a response. can be booked and we continue to work with airport leaders on coordinating flight schedules.
An airline spokesperson said, “We are committed to ensuring we continue to provide a solid and reliable service and appreciate the support from our customers and community leaders.
Joplin Regional Airport manager Bert Starkey said in an emailed response to The Globe’s question about the status of SkyWest flights to Chicago and Denver: Basic. Hopefully we can weather this storm and do better in the end. ”
Flights remained unchanged in November, when SkyWest was offering 12 round trips a week, seven to Chicago and five to Denver, Starkey said. He has one change for the Chicago route in December.
“The Chicago flight includes a stopover in Decatur, IL,” Starkey wrote in an email. “My understanding is that the Joplin passengers don’t disembark, they just board the Decatur passengers and head to Chicago. Same goes for the return flights.”
SkyWest notified the US Department of Transportation in March that it plans to terminate United Express service in Joplin and 28 other United Express communities last summer. The airline said the reason was a nationwide pilot shortage that affected many US airlines and led to flight cancellations.
Joplin and 28 other cities are served by the DOT program, which provides subsidies to airlines. The agency issued the order in response to his SkyWest notice that SkyWest should temporarily continue service while bids are sought. Only one bid from Boutique Air, a small airline with limited service, served some cities.
Joplin and its airport management are working with the city’s airline consultant, Mike Mooney of Volair Aviation Consulting, and SkyWest officials to roll out SkyWest’s services due to Joplin’s strong passenger numbers. The airport director said he had found a way to continue.
On June 13, the city submitted a letter from the airport board, rejecting Boutique Air’s offer and asking SkyWest service to continue with fewer flights.
