Great Lakes Airlines (Cheyenne) has had an application to provide Essential Air Services to the Nebraskan towns of Scottsbluff, North Platte, Grand Island and Kearney rejected on the grounds that they lacked adequate clarity regarding proposed days of operation and flight times.

The Star Times reports that the carrier had submitted two proposals: the first entailed three round trip flights a day on board 19-seater aircraft for a subsidy requirement of USD1.76million; the second entailed 3x daily flights on-board 9-seater aircraft for a subsidy requirement of USD2.44million.

"If the airline were to operate all three flights and only fill all nine seats, there would only be 9,855 passengers a year. This number would be under the 10,000 boardings needed for the airport to gain the USD1million in federal funding needed for safety improvements to the airport each year," the report said.

The airport authorities have now referred the matter to the US Department of Transportation which will decided whether or not to accept, or reject, Great Lakes' respective bids.

In the meantime, while the DoT considers the case, other airlines are allowed to submit their own proposals. Talks with airport authorities at North Platte, Grand Island and Kearney are also being held with a view to finding a possible solution.