At the suggestion of local officials who contended that the state term contract for air carrier service might be a disincentive for airlines for improving service to Tallahassee, the 1998 Legislature authorized the Department of Management Services to suspend the contract.
Our 1999 report found that the suspension failed to produce all the desired results. The number of commercial flights at the Tallahassee airport did increase slightly, although jet service declined, and the cost of fares charged the public did not materially change. However, state air travel costs increased substantially. The 1999 Legislature rescinded the initiative, and the department entered into a new contract in December 1999.
The new contract provides standardized airfares for government travel and fully unrestricted and refundable tickets. However, the contract fares are not necessarily the least expensive available for travel to certain cities.
While the availability of commercial airline service in Tallahassee decreased overall since our 1999 report, the City of Tallahassee has recruited a new air carrier, Northwest Airlink.

Preliminary Review of the Suspension of the State Contract for Air Carrier Service for Flights to and from Tallahassee
Report 98-70 February 1999

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.