Tester announces Butte to Salt Lake City air service will continue

(U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester today announced that SkyWest Airlines will continue to operate 13 direct flights per week from Butte to Salt Lake City International Airport.

“Thanks to this agreement, folks in Butte will continue to have reliable air service,” said Tester. “This announcement keeps Butte businesses connected and allows families from across the country to hop on a plane and celebrate the many festivals the Mining City hosts each year.”

Flights from Butte to Salt Lake City are supported through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service initiative. Tester has long supported Essential Air Service through his seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Essential Air Service was created in 1978 to ensure small communities kept their air services after Congress voted to deregulate the airline industry.

The contract between SkyWest Airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation was set to expire at the end of the year. Today’s announcement means the contract will be renewed through December 31, 2017.

Currently there are seven communities connected in Montana by Essential Air Service.