PenAir (Anchorage Ted Stevens) has advised the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) that it intends to discontinue its subsidised Essential Air Service (EAS) flights at Scottsbluff, Nebraska and asks that the DOT issue a request for proposals for the route.

As previously reported, the Western Nebraska Airport Authority, which manages Scottsbluff, has been disappointed with PenAir's service and had resolved to ask the DOT to find a new provider. PenAir was to provide 12x weekly services from Scottsbluff, North Platte and Kearney to Denver International using a 33-seat Saab 340B after being awarded the subsidised route in November 2016. However, from January 1 to May 18 this year, 134 flights were cancelled and 94 were delayed.

When the contract was last up for tender, the following carriers applied for the route: ADI Aerodynamics, Boutique Air, Elite Airways, Great Lakes Airlines, Key Lime Air and ViaAir.

PenAir continues to provide services on other EAS contracts as well as scheduled services, using its all-Saab fleet of twenty-one aircraft.