Utah’s Skywest takes over EAS at Joplin, MO from AA

Utah-based regional carrier SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City) will launch daily flights from Joplin, Missouri, to both Chicago O’Hare and Denver Int’l under the United Express brand, starting June 1, 2021, the airport announced in a statement. This follows after the US Department of Transportation (DOT) recently awarded the Essential Air Service (EAS) at Joplin to SkyWest for a three-year term, from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024. SkyWest will operate on the routes with 50-seat CRJ200s. The Denver route is a new addition for the airport. SkyWest will be taking over from American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth) which has been receiving a subsidy of USD1,237 per flight since December 2020 to continue the EAS to Joplin until SkyExpress takes over on June 1. American Airlines had provided the EAS at Joplin since 2010 and had received a subsidy for the air service. In 2018, American lifted its subsidy need due to strong air travel in the market. The DOT requested new bids for the EAS service at Joplin after American cut 15 regional routes from its network, including Joplin. The DOT notified American that it could not leave the Joplin market until a replacement air service was secured. Under the new EAS, the DOT will subsidise SkyWest as follows: USD1.2 million for the first-year; USD795,943 in the second year; and USD498,452 in the third year. “We are very pleased with the DOT’s decision,” said Steve Stockam, Manager of Joplin Regional Airport. “As many may recall, we were flying to Chicago for nine months in 2019 and it was a strong market for us. Adding the Denver hub to our service provides more connections to western destinations and will provide some new opportunities for area residents.”