Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois is in the process of determining the best option to meet the air transportation needs of the region.
Five airlines have submitted proposals for service that would start this December.
The two largest airlines receiving the most serious consideration are Sky West, which is offering a 50-seat jet to Chicago and the current provider, Cape Air, with a dual-hub option to St. Louis and Nashville.
Kimmel says Cape Air has been the provider for the last ten years.
"What they're able to offer with their nine-seat aircraft is high frequency/low fare. Now, what Sky West/United would provide is a much larger aircraft, but lower frequency and higher fare. So, those are the pros and cons of these proposals."
Kimmel says all the proposals are available for review on the airport's website along with a survey so the public can vote for its preferred option.
"All that information that we get, no matter our recommendation to DOT, we will turn over to them as well. So, at the end of the day, when they make their selection of the airline in this process, they have as much input from throughout our region as possible."
Kimmel says the public is allowed to vote until July 22nd, although he says the deadline may be extended.
Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois has to submit its recommendation to DOT by August 9th.
