Daines Applauds DOT’s Order to Approve SkyWest Charter Air Service for Rural Montanans

• September 3, 2025

Order Comes After Years of Inaction Under Biden Administration

U.S. SENATE - U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the below statement following the news that the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a final order enabling SkyWest Charter to serve small and rural communities.

"Today's order by the Trump administration is a huge win for Montana. Many of our small and rural communities, especially in Butte and Yellowstone, rely on small community air service, but the Biden administration stonewalled SkyWest Charter's operations for over two years. I fought the Biden administration on this every step of the way and am thrilled that President Trump and Secretary Duffy are supporting this vital service for Montana's rural communities. I look forward to seeing the great impact this will have on our state," said Daines.

Background:

Daines called on Biden's Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to review SkyWest Airline's request to operate flights in rural Montana as a commuter air carrier in June 2023, and followed up after months of inaction in February 2024.

###

Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins