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-Editorial
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors selected SkyWest Charter as the county’s preferred provider for federally subsidized commercial air service and authorized submission of that recommendation to the United States Department of Transportation.
The action, taken during a special meeting on Feb. 17, identifies the county’s community preference among proposals submitted under the Essential Air Service program for flights at Imperial County Airport. Federal officials will make the final designation of the carrier.
County staff said the current Essential Air Service selection process began with a bidding period that closed Dec. 17, 2025. Six proposals were submitted for federal consideration, and the public comment period remains open while the Department of Transportation evaluates the bids and prepares a designation order.
Supervisors were asked to identify Imperial County’s preferred carrier and proposal option and to authorize the board chair, or a designee, to submit the county’s formal recommendation and supporting rationale to federal officials. The county’s recommendation is due Feb. 25, 2026, though federal transportation officials have indicated they may consider an extension into mid-March if additional time is requested.
Congress created the Essential Air Service program to ensure smaller communities retain access to the national air transportation network. Under the process, airport and county staff facilitate local review, compile proposal materials, and submit the community preference to federal regulators. The Department of Transportation evaluates the submissions and issues the final selection and contract award.
Proposals were received from SkyWest Charter, SkyWest Airlines, Contour Airlines, Boutique Air, Advanced Air, and Southern Airways, the airport’s current provider. Materials submitted to supervisors included proposed routes, aircraft types, service frequencies, and estimated subsidy requirements for each bidder.
SkyWest Charter proposed 12 weekly round-trip flights between Imperial and Los Angeles, operated with 30-seat regional jet aircraft. SkyWest Airlines also proposed service between Imperial and Los Angeles with 50-seat regional jets operating 12 weekly round-trip flights.
Contour Airlines submitted multiple routing options using 30-seat regional jets, including service to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles under a public charter structure contingent on regulatory conditions. Boutique Air proposed service using nine-seat Pilatus PC-12 aircraft with options including Los Angeles and San Diego-area service at higher flight frequencies. Advanced Air proposed flights to Phoenix and Hawthorne, California, using nine-seat turboprop aircraft. Southern Airways proposed several routing options using nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft, including combinations of service to Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Diego region.
Subsidy requirements varied by bidder and proposal option, with each carrier submitting multiyear funding estimates and projected passenger revenue as part of the federal review process.
Following the board’s action, county staff will prepare a written community preference recommendation summarizing the selected carrier and rationale for submission to federal regulators.
Federal transportation officials will consider Imperial County’s recommendation along with public comments and proposal materials before issuing a final order selecting the next Essential Air Service provider for Imperial County.
