THIEF RIVER FALLS - Boutique Air has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide air service to Thief River Falls.
The department released an order Tuesday awarding the company a two-year contract to serve as the city's air carrier.
"We do not have an official service start date," said Carissa Balestreri, a representative for Boutique Air. "Once we finalize the operational details, we will have a better understanding of our start date. We will also be updating our website with information as we receive it."
The company was the top choice for the Thief River Falls Airport Authority, winning out over the city's current air carrier Great Lakes Airlines and one other bidder.
Under the contract, Boutique will provide 18 round trips per week in planes that can carry nine passengers from Thief River Falls to Minneapolis-St. Paul Regional Airport. Great Lakes has offered 12 round trips per week using 19- and nine-passenger planes.
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The agreement comes with $3.5 million in federal subsidies, which are granted to allow companies to provide air service between small communities and larger airports.
