Big Sky to pull out

Tim Leeds Havre Daily News [email protected]

Big Sky Airlines, which provides Essential Air Service in Havre and six other Montana communities, has filed an official notice that it will cancel that service and is in discussions with another company to take over those services within about 60 days. “Big Sky is under severe financial distress due to continuing, extensive and unsustainable losses,” the company said in the notice. “The Company has determined that it does not have the financial resources to continue to serve Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney and Wolf Point.” Big Sky will work with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the replacement airline to effect a seamless transfer of transportation services, the notice said. Havre Mayor Bob Rice was not available for comment before deadline this morning. Big Sky could not be reached for comment this morning including about what will happen in Montana if an alternate carrier cannot be found or if any jobs in the state will be eliminated. Big Sky now offers the services to the small Montana communities throught the federally subsidized essential air services program. The company announced Wednesday, the same day the official notice was filed in Montana, that it would close its east-coast operations that it started this year in cooperation with Delta Airlines. That closure will eliminate about 140 employees, the Company said in a press release. Big Sky said it will contact passengers holding reservations to notify them of schedule changes and to provide refunds or assist them in alternative transportation.