Cape Air pulling out of Quincy

QUINCY — After agreeing to a four-year, $10.8 million contract in September to be the essential air service provider for Quincy Regional Airport, Cape Air notified the U.S. Department of Transportation on Tuesday of its intent to terminate passenger air service in Quincy.

A 90-day notice was submitted Tuesday and signed by Andrew Bonney, senior vice president of planning for Cape Air, which is based in Hyannis, Md.

“Cape Air gives this notice with reluctance and regret — and principally due to a shortage of pilots,” Bonney wrote.

Members of the Aeronautics Committee learned of the news during its meeting Wednesday afternoon. Gabriel Hanifin, interim airport manager, told the committee Cape Air can’t leave until a new airline has been set up to service Quincy.

Muddy River News Editor David Adam was at the Aeronautics Committee meeting and will have more details later today.