Silver Airways won't bid on Montana EAS contract

HELENA (AP) — Montana's Essential Air Service provider has announced it won't bid on another two-year contract, but will continue to fly the routes until a new airline is awarded the contract and is ready to begin service.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Silver Airways announced Friday that it plans to move its Beech 1900D airplanes from Montana to serve its Cleveland market.

Silver Airways' two-year EAS contract with the Department of Transportation expired in May. DOT is taking bids through July 2 for a contract to serve Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point.

The DOT recently announced it would no longer subsidize flights to Lewistown and Miles City because the per-passenger subsidy exceeded the $1,000 allowed by Congress. Silver Airways will discontinue those routes on July 15.

Silver Airways has 49 employees in Montana.