The Coos County Airport District might be ready to negotiate for new flights between North Bend and Portland, but its efforts to force Horizon Air to stay are ongoing.

The chance of that happening, though, is slim.

The Airport District filed an objection with the U.S. Department of Transportation, protesting Horizon Air’s application to discontinue its essential air service requirement. As of Thursday, there were 59 objections filed by local agencies, businesses and community members to the plan.

The Department of Transportation could deny Horizon’s application, but Airport Executive Director Gary LeTellier said it is unlikely.

“The district has been advised by staff of U.S. DOT that they do not believe they have the authority to deny Horizon’s intent to terminate the service between the district’s airport and Portland and the service will terminate Oct. 11, 2008,” said an airport document.

 Even if Horizon’s application was denied, airport district attorney, Jerry Lesan said, it would involve getting a federal subsidy for the airline “and that would take several months.”