Durbin Statement on New Cape Air Contract for Quincy, Marion & Cape Girardeau
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement after the Department of Transportation announced that it has awarded new contracts to Cape Air to provide Essential Air Service (EAS) from Quincy, Marion and Cape Girardeau to St. Louis International Airport. The current contracts expire at the end of November.
“Cape Air has been a reliable, safe and affordable air service provider in Quincy, Marion and the Cape Girardeau region,” said Durbin. “These new contracts to continue Cape Air’s service will provide the stability and quality that travelers have come to expect. This is welcome news.”
Durbin worked for many years to secure a quality, long-term air carrier for downstate communities. In October 2009 Durbin and then Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced that Cape Air was awarded their original EAS contracts to Quincy, Marion and Cape Girardeau. Those contracts were renewed in April 2011. The Department of Transportation had previously held a contract with Great Lakes Aviation which failed to negotiate a critical codeshare agreement with American Airlines – a key component of the communities’ support for EAS.