Nov 22, 2023 | By: Miles Walker
Brainerd Airport Plans to Continue Partnership with Delta Air Lines
Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport hopes to continue its partnership with Delta Air Lines to offer flights to and from the Twin Cities.
On Nov. 2, airport commissioners unanimously agreed to recommend the U.S. Department of Transportation choose Delta – operated by SkyWest – as the carrier to receive a subsidy through the Essential Air Service program.
The airport also received alternative offers from Sun Country Airlines and Boutique Air. However, after asking for the public’s feedback last month, the majority sided with Delta.
“[We’re] really appreciative of what Delta has done, but we’re educating the importance of efficiency, you know, the importance of – it’s one thing to continue to provide the flight, which we’re grateful for, it’s another, ‘let’s actually do it efficiently.'” “And so, that morning flight is the flight that allows the consumer to purchase a ticket, get on board an airplane, and fly wherever they need to in the world the day of their meeting.”
Delta’s proposal for the Essential Air Service funding included about 12 to 14 flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul per week. The proposal did not set an exact flight schedule, which will be negotiated with the airline once the Department of Transportation chooses to move forward.