Pendleton City Council recommends SkyWest for EAS contract
By Griffin Beach on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council has recommended SkyWest Charter for the essential air service contract for the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport.
The recommendation will be sent to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which makes the final selection for the federally subsidized contract.
During the meeting, Airport Manager Dan Bandel spoke in support of the selection committee’s preference for SkyWest Charter, reiterating that it is the best option for airport growth.
“Statistically SkyWest has moved into a market, and those markets have gone from 6,000 to 7,000 enplanements to 12,000 or 14,000,” Bandel said.
The committee previously noted that SkyWest’s 30-seat jets offer a greater opportunity for expansion. Cody Thomas, SkyWest’s managing director of market development, said at the Jan. 20 council meeting that the larger aircraft would attract travelers who currently bypass the local airport.
However, Councilmember Carol Innes expressed skepticism regarding the need for larger planes. Innes said she had multiple contacts with constituents and never heard anyone say they avoided the Pendleton airport because of aircraft size.
Councilmember Brett Mulvihill said he heard from constituents on both sides but countered Innes, saying he had heard comments about people being uncomfortable flying on small planes. He added that continued growth was essential for the airport.
“If we don’t get enplanements up, we’re are in danger of losing EAS status,” Mulvihill said.
Councilmember Ellie McBride remarked on the difficulty of the decision but said it must be noted that the Pendleton airport serves the entire region.
“It is not just for us, and the grant is not just for us either,” she said.
The vote was 6-1, with Innes the sole dissenting vote.
