BURLINGTON, Iowa — Airline carrier Cape Air filed notice on May 3 that it would terminate services to Burlington, Iowa, due to a shortage of pilots.
In the filing Cape Air gave its 90 days' notice of Essential Air Service termination at Southeast Iowa Regional Airport in Burlington. The airline also filed a termination of service notice for flights out of the Quincy Regional Airport on the same day.
Cape Air said, if needed, it will continue to operate roundtrip flights from Burlington to St. Louis and Chicago past the 90-day deadline until another carrier is selected. Other airlines will have 90 days to submit bids for service in Burlington.
The Essential Air Service program, which federally subsidizes aircraft carriers for two roundtrip flights a day to smaller communities, was put in place by the U.S. Department of Transportation to guarantee those communities are served by certified carriers.
Cape Air's President and CEO Linda Markham made the following statement to News 8 regarding the termination of service to Burlington and Quincy:
This decision was not made lightly, as we valued the opportunity to serve these communities. Like many airlines, we are managing operational constraints primarily having to do with the nationwide pilot shortage.
As a longtime provider of (Essential Air Service) and as a community partner, we understand the critical role air service plays in these communities. Until another airline can guarantee service, Cape Air has committed to making our best efforts for reliable and consistent service to both Quincy and Burlington.
Cape Air was selected among three bidders to provide essential air service to Southeast Iowa Regional Airport after a previous contract the city had with Air Choice One expired.
The airline began servicing Burlington on Feb. 1 and promised at least one roundtrip flight from Burlington to Chicago and St. Louis each day.