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Bids to take over the Central Nebraska Regional Airport's Essential Air Service contract are due March 21, and the airport's executive director said he is hopeful at least three airlines will file bids.
The bidding due date was discussed as part of Wednesday's monthly Hall County Airport Authority Board meeting.
After the meeting, Mike Olson, executive director of the airport, said more than one airline has expressed interest in taking over Grand Island's air service. However, whether they will actually file a bid remains to be seen.
The U.S. Department of Transportation began the request for proposal process in January after Mesa Airlines, the airport's current Essential Air Service carrier, filed a notice to terminate its contract with Grand Island.
Mesa Airlines will remain Grand Island's commercial carrier until April 20, when a new airline may take over.
If no airlines bid to take over the service, Mesa may be ordered to continue until October, when its contract was originally scheduled to end.
The number of passengers boarded at the CNRA has also continued to decline.
Last month, the airport boarded 463 people on revenue, nonrevenue and charter flights, compared to 569 in January. That puts the year-to-date total at 1,032 people, compared to 1,330 by the end of February 2007.
Passenger boarding numbers have dropped off since January, when Mesa Airlines raised airfares by $100 each way on flights to Omaha and Kansas City, Mo.
Also discussed during Wednesday's airport meeting was the following:
* The board approved the purchase of a front-end wheel loader, snow basket attachment and snow blade attachment for $148,579. The purchase will be made pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration. The equipment has a 95-percent federal share.
* The board also approved resolutions allowing for the design and construction of additional rail lines at SemMaterials, which leases property from the airport. SemMaterials will add an additional 1,100 feet to its rail spurs at a cost of up to $349,610.50 for railroad contractor Atlas Company of Lincoln and $21,800 for design and construction inspection by Olsson Associates.
* The airport's terminal addition is scheduled to be finished by April 15. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on April 28.
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