The Department of Transportation has rejected an application from SkyWest Airlines to continue service at the Vernal Regional Airport which means a change in service will come later this year. A press release issued on Tuesday and shared on the Vernal City website states clearly that the eligibility of SkyWest to continue service was not made by local officials and that officials, residents, and the airport staff all appreciate SkyWest’s team and service to the community. “Due to recent changes in their business approach, SkyWest was deemed ineligible by the Department of Transportation, to serve the Vernal and Moab airports,” explains the announcement. “As a result, a federal bid was opened for other airlines to propose service to Vernal. The community is thankful for SkyWest’s service to the area. The Vernal Regional Airport reports that a new carrier has applied to continue operating federally subsidized flights in a similar manner and operation. This transition will occur in the Fall of 2023 with SkyWest continuing to provide service until then. More details about a new applicant carrier will be released as available.” SkyWest operates 12 flights a week with 12,000 passenger departures from Vernal in the last year.
