Merced Regional Airport Authority Recommends Three EAS Options – September 3, 2025
Merced Regional Airport Authority Special Meeting Summary – September 3, 2025
The Merced Regional Airport Authority held a special meeting on September 3, 2025, at 10:15 AM to consider recommendations for the Essential Air Service (EAS) proposal. The EAS Subcommittee presented its evaluation of four qualified airline proposals, and after public testimony and discussion, the Authority voted unanimously to forward three options to the Merced City Council.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Levi Stockton (CEO, Advanced Air) argued that the first two recommended options (Skywest Charter and Contour Airlines) are alternate EAS proposals, which would cut the number of weekly round trips from 24 to 12 (a loss of 1,248 flights per year), making service impractical. He noted that Advanced Air is a qualifying EAS carrier and that over 400 emails from the public support retaining Advanced Air. He also stated that Las Vegas does not allow part 380 aircraft into the terminal, requiring shuttles for connections.
- Barbara Hunt (Advanced Air) emphasized that Advanced Air has rebuilt trust and increased load factors over four years, and that less frequency on larger aircraft would drive passengers to Fresno or other airports. She urged the Authority not to send a message that reliable service is not valued.
- Ben Munson (President, Contour Airlines) clarified that Contour can operate as traditional EAS, not alternate EAS. He argued for regional jet service, citing better connectivity, lower fares (20% less than Skywest Charter), and an estimated 21,000 annual passengers, which would bring $1.3 million in AIP funding. He distinguished Contour from Skywest Charter, noting that Skywest Charter lacks existing scheduled commercial infrastructure.
- The Authority received over 300 emails (and later reported over 400) from the public in support of Advanced Air.
Discussion Items
- EAS Subcommittee Recommendation: The subcommittee presented a rank-ordered list: 1) Skywest Charter (LAX & Las Vegas), 2) Contour Airlines (LAX & Las Vegas), 3) Advanced Air (Hawthorne & Las Vegas), 4) Skywest Airlines (ineligible due to part 139 requirements), 5) Boutique Airlines. Skywest Airlines was excluded because Merced Regional Airport lacks the required certification.
- Alternate EAS Clarification: Airport Manager Quintario explained that Merced cannot administer an alternate EAS program due to staff capacity. However, Skywest Charter recently obtained DOT approval to operate as a standard EAS carrier, making it eligible. Contour also qualifies as standard EAS.
- Route Details: Skywest Charter’s top option is LAX and Las Vegas (12 round trips per week); Contour’s top option is LAX and Las Vegas; Advanced Air’s current service is Hawthorne and Las Vegas (24 round trips per week).
- Commissioner Concerns: Commissioner Hirsch questioned why Skywest Charter was included if it was alternate EAS; the clarification addressed this. Commissioner Silva noted that Advanced Air has improved community presence but still lacks visibility; she suggested better marketing. Commissioner Scoble commended Advanced Air for rebuilding trust.
- Motion: Vice Chair Jim Song moved to recommend the subcommittee’s options 1 and 2 (Skywest Charter and Contour) and add a third option for Advanced Air, allowing the Department of Transportation to make the final selection. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Vote: Unanimous (6-0) approval of a recommendation to the Merced City Council containing three options: 1) Skywest Charter (service to LAX and Las Vegas), 2) Contour Airlines (service to LAX and Las Vegas), 3) Advanced Air (service to Hawthorne and Las Vegas).
- Next Steps: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Merced City Council, which will then make a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation for final selection. The Authority noted that two of the three airlines (Advanced Air and Contour) were present at the meeting, and that public support for Advanced Air was substantial.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, Commissioners, are we ready? I think so. Okay. Can get started. At least 72. Um, welcome. At least 72 hours prior to each regular regional airport authority meeting. A complete agenda packet is available for review on the city's website at WW.city of Merced.gov or at the city clerk's office, located at six seventy-eight West 18th Street, Merced, California, nine five three four four four four four oh. All public records relation to an open session item that are distributed to a majority of the commission will be available for public inspection at the city clerk's office during regular business hours. Assisted hearing devices are available at meetings held in the council chamber. Public comment. Members of the audience who wish to address the regional airport authority are requested to complete a speaker card available at the podium against the back of the council chamber. Please submit the completed card to the regional airport authority clerk before the item is called, preferably before the meeting begins. Material may be emailed to Fly Merced Airport at City of Merced.gov no later than one PM on the day of the meeting. Please specify which portion of the agenda you are commenting on. For example, report item number or public comment. Your comments will be presented to the regional airport authority at the appropriate time. Any correspondence received after one p.m. will be distributed to the regional regional airport authority and retained for the official record. Okay. Okay. Um if we can stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Okay. Agenda item C, roll call. Chair Scoble. Present. Vice Chair Jim Song. Commissioner Hirsch. Present. Commissioner Silva. Present. Commissioner Abank. Present. Commissioner Shalid. Yes, present. Commissioner Johnson. Present. Thank you. Do you guys usually date the public for your request of the makeover to the item? Okay. Okay. Agenda item D, business. Agenda item D one. Essential Air Service proposal recommendation from the EAS subcommittee for consideration by the Regional Airport Authority and forwarding a recommendation to the Merced City Council. So please forgive me as we go through this. Boutique Airlines was also in the past four recent service providers. Recently, in May, the Department of U.S. Department of Transportation issued a request for proposal asking airline providers if they would like to propose on providing EAS service to MESSED Regional Airport. We then came to you once the proposals were received, and we asked the airport authority to create a subcommittee of three to work with two staff members to review the proposals, then to interview the proposers, and then subsequently come before you and discuss a recommendation that would then be forwarded to the city council. As noted, they the subcommittee served with uh Ms.
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