Feds approve 4-year Air Choice One contract

ST. LOUIS — The U.S. Department of Transportation renewed Air Choice One’s contract to serve the Gogebic-Iron County Airport for another four years.

“Being selected by the communities and DOT to continue providing service to these communities is a great opportunity for our company,” Air Choice One President/CEO Shane Storz said in a Tuesday press release announcing the news. “We have invested in growing our service in these communities and are grateful to be selected to continue that investment. This has been a year of growth and expansion, and we’re excited to continue to build on that momentum in 2016 and beyond.”

Air Choice One offers 13 flights from Ironwood to Chicago O’Hare each week and another five flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul since the airline added the route June 1.

In April, Air Choice One was one of four companies to apply to provide air service to the airport. The airline was originally awarded the contract by the Department of Transportation in April 2014 and flights began in July 2014.

In a letter supporting Air Choice One’s renewal contract, Airport Board Chairman Jim Oliver said the airport had seen a “significant increase” in use since Air Choice One began providing service.

Air Choice One also serves St. Louis; Decatur, Ill .; Burlington, Iowa; Fort Dodge, Iowa; Mason City, Iowa; Jackson, Tenn. and Jonesboro, Ark.,

The renewed four-year contract begins Aug. 1.