July 6, 2023
Todd M. Homan, Director
United States Department of Transportation
Office of Aviation Analysis
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Response to Order 2022-3-8/Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at
Salina, Kansas
Via e-mail to: [email protected] and Kevin.Schlemmer@dot.gov
Dear Mr. Homan,
Attached is Denver Air Connection’s proposal to provide air service at Salina, Kansas to Denver
International Airport (DEN) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) or Dallas Fort Worth
International Airport (DFW).
If we are selected, we will provide vital support to the regional economy with scheduled
passenger service on our safe and reliable 30-seat Dornier Jet and 50-seat Embraer EMB-145
aircraft with service and schedules tailored to the community’s needs.
Our reliable service will provide the Salina region with options to access the world's most
comprehensive route network of United Airlines, American Airlines, and other major carriers
through Denver International and Chicago O’Hare International or Dallas Fort Worth
International. Our service is dedicated to the community to ensure seat availability and direct
flights to and from Denver with an option to include Chicago or Dallas. The communities we
service praise our excellent completion rates and on-time performance rate.
As directed by the RFP, we will offer the Salina community 12 non-stop round-trip flights per
week for a new 2 term with a 4 year option. Service scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024. We will
work closely with local leadership to set a schedule that balances operationa and regulatory
needs with community desires and connectvity to the national transportation system. Denver Air
Connection believes this proposal meets the needs of the community and provides the best
overall option for air service to the Salina community with reliable connectivity at Denver,
Colorado and Chicago, Illinois or Dallas, Texas.
Thank you for your consideration.
Marcus Hesting,
Director of Finance
Denver Air Connection
13252 E. Control Tower Rd. | Englewood Colorado 80112 | O: 303.768.9626 / M: 720.635.5903
[email protected]om I denverairconnection.com
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Proposal to Provide Essential Air Service at
Salina, Kansas
Filed: July 6, 2023
Via e-mail to: [email protected] and Kevin.Schlemmer@dot.gov with the title
“Proposal to provide EAS at Salina, Kansas”
Order: 2022-3-8
Served: November 17, 2022
Docket: DOT-OST-2002-11376
Under 49 U.S.C. § 41731 et seq
ABOUT US
Denver Air Connection is the passenger airline operated by Key
Lime Air Corporation, its parent company. Key Lime Air was
founded in 1996. It has grown its scheduled passenger service by
focusing on its mission to empower emerging communities with
global travel and economic access by providing safe and reliable
regional airline service. Key Lime Air is authorized to conduct
operations under both 14 CFR part 121 and part 135.
We are here to joyfully serve our
customers. We love what we do, and we share our passion by
providing extraordinary customer service to the communities we
are proud to serve.
Our partner communities praise our impressive on time
performance rate and onboard experience. We consistently
exceed their expectations and defined requirements.
Telluride, Colorado – Denver Air Connection established the first and only scheduled
passenger jet service to this mountain destination. Connecting quickly and safely to Telluride
from anywhere in the world has never been easier. Additional daily service from Telluride to
Phoenix Sky Harbor began on December 16, 2021.
Alliance, Nebraska – Denver Air Connection began service to Denver on June 1, 2019. In 2021,
Alliance selected Denver Air Connection to continue service through 2023.
Clovis, New Mexico – Denver Air Connection began service to Denver on May 1, 2020. Service
was expanded to include Dallas/Ft. Worth on November 1, 2021. Clovis has recommended
Denver Air Connection to continue serving the community for another four years.
Thief River Falls, MN – Denver Air Connection began service to Minneapolis on June 1, 2020.
Thief River Falls has recommended Denver Air Connection to continue serving the community
for another five years.
Pierre, SD – Denver Air Connection began service to
Denver on July 1, 2021.
Watertown, SD – Denver Air Connection began service to
Denver and Chicago O’Hare on July 1, 2021.
Ironwood, MI – Denver Air Connection began service to
Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis on October 1, 2021.
McCook, NE – McCook has selected Denver Air Connection
to begin service to Denver in June 2022.
Over 24 Years of passenger and cargo experience
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THE FLEET
Embraer 145LR
With 20 years in operation, over 26 million flight hours, in service with 36 airlines in 26 countries,
the ERJ-145 is a proven runway legend. The ERJ-145 has a 50-seat capacity and a 1550-mile range
fully loaded. Our jets underwent an Embraer refurbishment in the Summer of 2019 resulting in
like-new aircraft.
In the cabin, every detail has been considered. Overhead stowage
compartments feature space-saving retractable panels and with no
middle seat and the three-abreast, 31” seat pitch, every passenger
has a comfortable window or aisle seat. Our 50 seat jets provide
flexibility and choice to meet the community’s emergent needs.
Denver Air Connection will listen to Salina and
work together to provide the aircraft that meets the community’s needs.
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Dornier DO-328
The Dornier DO-328 is a 30-seat passenger jet, with overhead stowage compartments and a
lavatory. The large cargo compartment has 1,500 pounds capacity. The Do-Jet is the hands down
winner in all critical areas of flight comfort and flying experience. The shape of the fuselage
creates more headroom, and the Do-Jet has wide seats – 18.1 inches, and spacious legroom, with
a 31”-34” pitch.
In the Do-Jet, there are no middle seats. Every seat is a
window or aisle seat. To round out the passenger
experience, our Flight Attendants provide a bountiful
snack basket and beverage service.
Denver Air Connection can
provide the aircraft to meet the community’s needs.
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CONNECTED TO THE WORLD
Denver Air Connection’s Interline Agreement with United Airlines provides our community
partners with travel network access benefits including the convenience to search, book and
purchase tickets on United’s web site, United.com, as well as baggage transfers and thru-
checks to and from any of United’s 500 destinations in over 30 countries. Denver Air
Connection has also recently implemented an interline ticketing agreement with American
Airlines, providing a wide range of destinations.
No Checked Baggage or Security Hassles
Our Interline Agreements also
allow our community
partners to participate in
setting fares and schedules.
Denver Air Connection will
work with Salina to tailor an
airline service for their
specific community needs.
In addition to the United
and American Interline
Agreements, Denver Air
Connection participates in multiple Global Distribution Systems (GDS) including Sabre,
Travelport, and Amadeus. Ticket distribution through these GDS systems provides world-wide
visibility for the route and for the community through websites such as: Google, Kayak,
Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, and many other Online Travel Agencies (OTAs).
Denver Air Connection Provides
Access to the World
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SAFETY, RELIABILITY & SKILL
Safety
Safety is at the core of Denver Air
Connection’s culture. We
maintain a Safety Management
System that is integrated into
every aspect of our operation.
Skill
Denver Air Connection pilots and
mechanics are trained to the
highest standards in the world.
Denver Air Connection conducts all passenger flights with two pilots, requiring the captain to
hold an ATP certificate.
Our pilot culture aspires to perfection on every flight.
Reliability
All aircraft are maintained in-house under
our FAA approved maintenance program.
This in conjunction with our part 145
Repair Station gives us the ability to
maintain, inspect, and alter our aircraft
and components at all levels. We pride
ourselves on never leaving passengers
stranded due to maintenance issues. Our
communities know that we will use our
fleet to bring maintenance to a location to
fix an issue or send a replacement aircraft
to get the passengers to their destination.
Performance
Denver Air Connection has demonstrated an impressive completion rate of 98.5% for our EAS
communities, with an equally impressive on-time arrival rate greater than 95% (Excluding WX).
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MARKETING
Denver Air Connection recognizes how critical marketing is to the success of a community’s airline
service. We have budgeted a minimum of $20,000 annually to create awareness for the service
and promote its utilization.
Our budget will support our coordinated effort with the community to form an integrated
traditional marketing campaign in print and broadcast as well as the effective utilization of digital
platforms including our social media channels to raise awareness, visibility, and customer
satisfaction for the community’s passengers.
Marketing efforts utilize our collaborative skills and experience working with your local
professionals to create and distribute messaging to obtain the highest utilization rate possible for
the service.
Denver Air Connection will listen and partner with the community
to build a successful marketing campaign.
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YOUR CHOICE. YOUR AIRLINE.
Denver Air Connection represents the airline choice that listens to the Salina community’s needs
and customizes its service to meet those needs. The Department of Transportation awards
Essential Air Service contracts based on the five criteria below. The DOT will formally solicit the
views of the Salina community as to which carrier and option they prefer. The Department is
directed to consider five factors when making a carrier selection:
1. The demonstrated reliability of the applicant in providing scheduled air service.
Denver Air Connection delivers a 98.5% rate on completed flights and an impressive on-
time performance rate.
2. The contractual and marketing arrangements the applicant has made with a large
carrier to ensure service beyond the hub airport.
Denver Air Connection has an established interline agreement with United Airlines and
American Airlines which provides seamless access to these Airlines’ networks.
Denver Air Connection maintains close contractual and marketing relationships with our
airline partners and the communities we serve to ensure service beyond the hub airport.
3. The interline agreements that the applicant has made with larger carriers to allow
passengers and cargo of the applicant at the hub airport to be transported by the larger
carrier(s) through one reservation, ticket, and baggage check in.
Denver Air Connection has an interline agreements with United Airlines and American
Airlines
4. Community views. The preferences of the actual and potential users of air
transportation at the eligible place, giving substantial weight to the views of the elected
officials representing the users of the service.
Denver Air Connection enjoys high levels of customer support from our passengers. We
are happy to provide references for all the communities we serve to hear firsthand how
we deliver on our promises every day.
5. The air carrier has included a plan in its proposal to market the service.
Denver Air Connection will work with the community on how to best spend marketing
dollars and to ensure marketing budgets are utilized and implemented effectively.
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Bid Proposal
The proposal is for a two-year term with a four-year option.
Denver Air Connection
Option 1
Option 2
Essential Air Service Bid
DEN
DEN-6, ORD or DFW-6
ERJ145 / 328Jet round trips / week
12
12
(6 RT Each)
Aircraft Data
ERJ145/328Jet
ERJ145/328Jet
Block Hours
1,753
2,003
Available Seats
62,400
62,400
Load Factor
37%
40%
Passenger Revenue
Passengers
23,088
24,960
Average Fare
99.00
99.00
Revenue
2,285,712
2,471,040
Expenses
Aircraft Lease
858,000
858,000
Crew Cost
1,900,734
1,900,734
Maintenance
997,521
1,136,173
Insurance
667,200
667,200
Overhead Facilities/Supplies/Staff
1,152,000
1,152,000
DEN Operating Expense
444,818
296,505
ORD/DFW Operating Expense
-
636,316
SLN Operating Expense
444,044
444,044
Deice, Catering and Misc.
163,440
172,800
Marketing
20,000
20,000
Set-Up
20,000
20,000
Fuel Cost
3,564,288
4,073,472
Total Expense
10,232,045
11,377,244
Annual Subsidy Requirement
Operating Income
(7,946,333)
(8,906,204)
Profit (5%)
511,602
568,862
Total Subsidy
8,457,935
9,475,066
Effective Subsidy Rates
Subsidy per Trip (97% completion)
6,987
7,827
Subsidy per Passenger
366
380
6% Annual subsidy increase
