PLATTSBURGH -- Cape Air, a small commuter airline out of Hyannis, Mass., was the only airline to bid to become this region's next Essential Air Service provider.

Cape Air is proposing three daily non-stop flights from Plattsburgh to Boston and from Saranac Lake to Boston.

"We will make comments, and the DOT (federal Department of Transportation) will make the final decision," Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo said Monday. "But they are expected to expedite the process."

The region had been served by Big Sky Airlines out of Montana since late last year, but that company pulled out Jan. 7, citing poor weather and rising fuel costs.

Big Sky had numerous canceled or delayed flights at both the Saranac Lake and Plattsburgh airports.

The federal government provides airlines with funding through the Essential Air Service program, ensuring that smaller regions can have air travel by subsidizing the service.

The deadline for submitting bids was last Friday.

A regional group of airport operators and chambers of commerce submitted a list of requisites they would like the federal government to look at when reviewing the bids.

Cape Air has relationships with Jet Blue and Continental Airlines, which can lead passengers to connecting flights at bigger hubs.

The airline features a fleet of 49 Cessna 402 aircraft, which operate in New England, Florida, Indiana and the Caribbean.

The Cessna 402 seats nine passengers.

Cape Air is proposing to offer Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake tickets and commuter books on its Web site: www.flycapeair.com.

In its proposal for the Essential Air Service deal, Cape Air said its schedule will be optimized for customer convenience.

Planes will be kept overnight in Plattsburgh and Saranac Lake to ensure reliable morning flights, the company said.

The schedule would be timed to accommodate Plattsburgh- and Saranac Lake-originating traffic and build connections at Boston.