Regional Airport Authority
Monday,
September 15, 2025
ESSENTIAL AIR SERVICE SELECTION
ATTACHMENT 8
Essential Air Service Overview
Essential Air Service (EAS)
What is EAS?
Merced Airport’s Use of EAS
Request for Proposal
Subcommittee Formation
EAS Proposal Process
REGIONAL AIRPORT
AUTHORITY &
CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS
Regional Airport Authority
Provide a recommendation to the
City
City Council
Consider a recommendation to
the US DOT
Department of Transportation
Makes the FINAL Selection
City Council … Today’s Action
RECOMMENDATION TO THE U.S. DOT
As Recommended by the Regional Airport Authority
Provide a modified recommendation
1.Skywest
Charter
2.Contour
Airlines
3.Advanced
Airlines
LAX/LAS LAX/LAS HHR/LAS
Air Carrier Selection Process
(A) The demonstrated reliability of the applicant in providing scheduled air service.
(B) The contractual, marketing, code-share, or interline arrangements the applicant has made with a larger air carrier serving the hub airport. (c) The total compensation proposed by the air carrier for providing scheduled air service under this section.
MCE ESA Presentation Score Sheet
Please tell us how you have demonstrated reliability in providing scheduled air service.
What contractual and marking arrangements have you made with a large carrier to ensure service beyond the hub airport?
What interline agreements have you made with larger carriers to allow passengers and cargo to be transported by the larger carrier(s) through one reservation, ticket, and baggage check in?
What steps have you taken to understand the air service needs and expectation of our community?
What is your plan to market your service to the community? Proposed Service From MCE to:
Boutique
Airlines
Skywest
Airlines
Skywest
Charter
Advanced
Airlines
Contour
Airlines
MCE-SFO LAX LAX HHR/LAS LAX
MCE-LAX LAX/SFO LAX/SFO HHR/OAK LAX/PHX
MCE-LAS LAX/LAS LAX/LAS HHR/SFO LAX/LAS
Types of planes and seating capacity:
Boutique
Air
Skywest
Airlines
Skywest
Charter
Advanced
Airlines
Contour
Airlines
PC-12 CRJ200 CRJ200 B350/D328 ERJ135/14
5 8/9 seats 50 Seats 30 Seats 9 Seat/30
Seat
30 Seat
RAA RECOMMENDATION
1.Skywest
Charter
2.Contour
Airlines
3.Advanced
Airlines
LAX/LAS LAX/LAS HHR/LAS
RAA Community Consideration: The RAA discussion also included the following:
• Merced is a growing community with unique needs.
• It is a goal that the selected carrier provide service the keeps residents flying from Merced instead of driving to larger airports, ensuring local economic benefit and increasing enplanements.
• The carrier develop a marketing strategy promoting their service from the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport.
Thank You