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Commercial passenger air service in Butte (BTM) is supported by the U. S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) under a federal funding program known as an Essential Air Service Contract. 

 

For the first time in decades, another major airline has expressed interest in providing passenger service in Butte. Both SkyWest Airlines (doing business as Delta Connection) and United Airlines have submitted bids to the USDOT to provide service to BTM for the two year period beginning January 1, 2020. The USDOT will base the selection on a number of factors including proposed service and financial requirements. One element that will be considered is the community opinion. 

 

Please keep in mind that the “FlyButte Coalition” will continue to pursue an additional carrier to the hub that is not awarded the contract. 

 

• SkyWest Airlines/Delta Connection will continue with roundtrip service 13 times weekly year-round to the Delta hub in Salt Lake City (SLC). Presently the SLC hub provides 282 daily departures to 95 direct destinations. Flight time to SLC is approximately 1 hour.

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• SkyWest/Delta Connection is BTM's current airline and they provide excellent service and reliability.

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•  United Airlines proposes to serve BTM with round trip service 13 times weekly year-round to the United hub in Denver (DEN). Presently the DEN hub provides 502 daily departures to 163 direct destinations. Flight time to DEN is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. 

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United Airlines has submitted their bid because they believe BTM will be better served and provide more passengers and connection opportunities with the larger Denver hub. United has also committed to a frequent flyer "status match" for residents of Butte that currently hold frequent flyer status with Delta.

 

In order to provide this community input, please answer this 2 question survey. 

 

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