MASON CITY - Passengers flying in and out of Mason City Municipal Airport these days are enjoying bigger planes that can seat 50.
But don't get used to it, said Airport Manager Pam Osgood.
Delta Airlines, which will stop serving Mason City as soon as a replacement airline is determined, is phasing out its SAAB fleet, the 30-seat turboprop planes that have been serving smaller regional airports like the one in Mason City.
They have replaced them with the 50-seat CRJs that will serve the airport until a new airline takes over, said Osgood.
Earlier this year, three carriers submitted bids to the U.S. Department of Transportation to serve Mason City - Great Lakes Aviation; Multi-Aero Inc. doing business as Air Choice One; and Sovereign Air.
Great Lakes would provide four daily round trips between Mason City and Minneapolis on a 19-seat Beech aircraft.
Air Choice One is offering 47 round trips a week, roughly seven a day, on a nine-seat Cessna Grand Caravan.
Sovereign Airlines is not yet operating, does not have an aircraft and is seeking funding.
The DOT wants an answer from city officials by Nov. 21. Osgood said, given the choices, the Airport Commission has indicated a preference for Great Lakes and will formalize its decision at its next meeting.
She said it will take about 90 days for the new carrier to take over.
In the meantime, Mason City passengers will travel on the larger planes.
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