OGDENSBURG -- Advocate Drum, a Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization has thrown its support behind SkyWest as the federal Department of Transportation considers which airline will receive the Essential Air Service subsidy.

The EAS contract provides federal subsidies of approximately $2.7 million to air carriers serving Massena and Ogdensburg airports. The contract is about to expire, and four carriers are bidding.

SkyWest’s bid is contingent upon receiving EAS subsidies from both Ogdensburg and Massena -- totaling more than $5.5 million -- to help pay for the service. The airline would provide 50 passenger flights to Chicago and Washington D.C.

Ogdensburg has thrown its support behind Skywest, but Massena favors Boutique Air, which provides flights to Boston aboard nine-passenger propeller planes.

If the EAS subsidy is awarded to Boutique Air in Massena, it is unclear which airline would receive the subsidy in Ogdensburg.

The ultimate decision will be made by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which administers the EAS funds.

Although Massena has said Boutique Air provides the best fit for its residents, many organizations from outside the town are hoping to influence the decision.

Most recently and advocacy group for Fort Drum has asked the DOT to award the EAS bid to SkyWest.

“Advocate Drum, the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization (FDRLO) has enjoyed a strong bond with our Army and the North Country Community for more than 30 years. FDRLO exists to foster the relationship between Fort Drum and the North Country, mediate when conflicting interests materialize, and continually advocate, at all levels, for Fort Drum and the Soldiers and Civilians who serve there,” the endorsement issued to the DOT says.

“Our support for SkyWest-Ogdensburg International Airport (OGS) Essential Air Service bid award is to increase local air travel options for more than 36,000 Soldiers, Army Civilians, and family members who call Fort Drum home, as well as the greater North Country Community. We believe that providing a local option for western destinations will be a tremendous benefit to Fort Drum, and will benefit the local and regional economy.”

Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Executive Wade Davis said this endorsement is big.

"SkyWest's United Express Service on a fifty passenger jet out of Ogdensburg will provide a low cost, efficient, and direct service to those who serve us every day to Chicago and Washington. Fort Drum is the largest economic engine in the North Country with over 36,000 Soldiers, Army Civilians and family members. How can you go wrong with a new air service that will serve the interests of our military, civilian, and North Country population?" Davis said.

"The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority strongly urges the USDOT to award the OGS EAS bid to SkyWest as it is the lowest cost and best value using USDOT's EAS selection criteria. OGS unequivocally values direct high-speed jet access to two major hubs to access the National Air Transportation System in the form of a larger, pressurized, aircraft flying routes that both codeshare and interline with several major U.S. carriers in the Star Alliance network."