According to a press release sent Thursday from Rhonda Chambers, the airport’s director of aviation the Utah-based company filed a 90-day notice of the airline’s intent to terminate Essential Air Service to Fort Dodge and 28 other communities on or before June 10.

“We are extremely disappointed with the news,” Chambers said.

In an effort to retain the company’s air service, airport officials have been working with the airline with recent changes, such as a route reduction, to support the airline’s struggles.

In February, the airport announced that SkyWest was trimming its Fort Dodge service from 12 round-trips a week to 10.

“Although SkyWest Airlines Inc. would prefer to continue providing scheduled air service to these cities, the pilot staffing challenges across the airline industry preclude us from doing so,” the notice from SkyWest reads.

This is just the start of a long process during which the United States Department of Transportation will send out requests for proposals to other air carriers who provide air service to secure a new airline, according to the airport’s release.

“The airport commission and I will be working closely with SkyWest and the USDOT in the coming months toward a smooth transition for our customers,” Chambers said.

United Express operated by Skywest Airlines began providing service in Fort Dodge on March 1, 2021, under a USDOT Essential Air Service contract for a three-year term ending Feb. 29, 2024.

SkyWest offers flights from the Fort Dodge Regional Airport to two major air traffic hubs — Chicago O’Hare International and Denver International.

When SkyWest took over service at Fort Dodge, it replaced Air Choice One, which had served the airport since 2015 until February 2021.