Essential Air Service timeline

Feb 2005 — U.S. Department of Transportation informs port it has 12 months to increase passenger numbers, or lose subsidy. Big Sky changes flights out of Moses Lake to Seattle to flights to Portland and Boise.

June 2005 — Calculations indicate numbers are improving, but Port of Moses Lake manager Craig Baldwin says the subsidy is still in jeopardy.

January 2006 — As the program remains in jeopardy, the port works with the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce and community to fulfill its quota.

June 2006 — DOT issues a tentative order terminating the subsidy. The community is given 20 days to appeal the decision, ending July 3. In a response meeting at Grant County International Airport, Grant County Economic Development Council Executive Director Terry Brewer says a loss of air service would be "psychologically damaging" to the community at large and to outside companies looking at the area as a possible site for economic growth. The department later grants a 30-day extension to the Moses Lake community to comment about why the service should not be terminated, with a final deadline of Aug. 2.

July 2006 — The port works with the Moses Lake community to gather comments about maintaining the services. Many letters cite reasons why the service has not been utilized, citing difficulty in ordering tickets from Web sites and cancelled and delayed flights. Baldwin says the air carrier is working to correct those issues.

August 2006 — The community turns in response packet to the Department of Transportation Aug. 2. After weeks of no word, the department issues a final order terminating the federal subsidy in 45 days.