The Billings, Montana-based Big Sky Airlines has won a $6.3 million federal contract to provide Essential Air Service to cities in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s essential air service program subsidizes airlines flying to rural communities that do not have enough passenger traffic to pay for their air service.
Brownwood city officials and county officials from surrounding areas were treated to a “get acquainted” luncheon recently with Big Sky Airlines officials. “We are extremely pleased to finally get service from a financially-sound organization and one that knows what it’s doing,” said Everett Pitts, Brownwood airport manager. Big Sky Airlines will begin scheduled air service to Brownwood on Nov. 15, 1998.
Big Sky Airlines will service the these markets by flying out of the hub cities of Dallas and St. Louis. Additionally, the airlines plans to increase their fleet as well as to add more employees to serve these markets.