At outpouring of support from the community has helped Alpena County Regional Airport land SkyWest Airlines.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) informed local officials Friday afternoon, that SkyWest will service the Alpena airport for at least the next two years.

SkyWest will receive an annual federal subsidy from the DOT of nearly $3.1 million to provide 12 weekly, nonstop round trips to Detroit and Minneapolis via a 50-seat jet.  That’s one roundtrip flight to each city, 6 days a week.

SkyWest was one of four airlines bidding for the job.

“I look forward to welcoming SkyWest to our community,” said Alpena Mayor Matt Waligora, “and encourage travelers to utilize their service, as an increase in enplanements will improve our flight schedule and decrease our reliance on federal funding.”

SkyWest did submit the most expensive proposal to the DOT, which said it is concerned with the airlines level of subsidy.  The DOT added, “We expect the community to work vigorously with SkyWest to increase passenger levels and, thus, reduce subsidy levels in the next two years.  Otherwise, we will explore less expensive service options at the end of this contract.”