SUBJECT: Consideration of the Merced Regional Airport Authority Recommendation for the Skywest Charter – Option 1, Contour Airlines – Option 2, and Advanced Air – Option 3 as the Airline Carrier to Serve the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport Under the Essential Air Service and Make a Recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation REPORT IN BRIEF Considers the Merced Regional Airport Authority’s recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding a selection of an Essential Air Service carrier provider for the Merced Yosemite Regional Airport. RECOMMENDATION City Council – Adopt a motion: A. Approving the Regional Airport Authority’s recommendation for air carrier service to the U.S. Department of Transportation concerning the selection of an Essential Air Service provider by priority as follows: Option 1. Recommend to the US Department of Transportation that SkyWest Charter with service to Los Angeles International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) serve the City of Merced as the Essential Air Service provider (subject to US DOT waiver approval); and, Option 2. Recommend to the US Department of Transportation that Contour Airlines with Service to Los Angeles International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) serve the City of Merced as the Essential Air Service provider (subject to US DOT waiver approval); and, Option 3. Recommend to the US Department of Transportation that Advanced Airlines with service to Hawthorne Airport and Harry Reid International Airport (Las Vegas) serve the City of Merced as the Essential Air Service provider. B. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Business Item Passed Introduced September 7, 2025

Committee: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
Introduced: September 7, 2025
On agenda: September 15, 2025
Passed: September 15, 2025

Where it was heard