Honolulu Star-Bulletin

"Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group had been using 19-seat Beechcraft 1900s, but officials said they waived the 19-seat requirement and selected Pacific Wings because of the communities' dissatisfaction with the service and reliability of Mesa."

Lea County Commissioner Randy McCormick, whose committee represents Hobbs and voted 5-0 on Tuesday for Pacific Wings, said members had received about 200 letters and signatures in support of the change.

"Mesa's been servicing (Hobbs) for 25 years and the cost of the flight to Albuquerque has been unreasonable for a long time," McCormick said. "Mesa has left some people stranded in areas for different reasons. If Pacific Wings can promise half of what they're promising us, then they'll be a better airline than Mesa."

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