PADUCAH, KY — The United States Department of Transportation issued an order on Tuesday approving Contour Airlines to provide Essential Air Service at Barkley Regional Airport for a period of three years, starting on Dec. 6, 2022.
According to the order, Contour will provide Paducah with 12 nonstop round trips per week from Barkley Regional Airport to North Carolina’s Charlotte Douglas International Airport in a 30-passenger Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft.
In addition, the order grants the Barkley Regional Airport Authority Board’s request for a waiver from 49 U.S.C. § 41732(a) which requires basic Essential Air Service to be scheduled air transportation.
“We are excited to welcome Contour Airlines to Barkley and look forward to a strong partnership with them,” said Barkley Regional Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. “Not only does Contour offer a great passenger experience, but the flights to Charlotte will help our passengers from across the region reach their most desired destinations according to our catchment study, with improved connecting service to the northeast and southern destinations. Our airport is growing, and this is an inspiring time as we make great progress on our new terminal opening in the Spring of 2023.”
The change in airlines comes after SkyWest Airlines filed a 90-day notice of their intent to terminate service in 29 communities in March of 2022, citing employee staffing issues.
In response, the Barkley Regional Airport received carrier proposals from Boutique Air, Inc., Southern Airways Express LLC (Southern Airways), and Contour.
On June 24, the BRAA Board submitted a letter recommending to the DOT that Contour Airlines be designated Paducah’s new Essential Air Service Carrier, and requesting a waiver of 49 U.S.C. § 41732(a). They also requested the DOT issue Contour’s order for 3 years instead of their proposed 4-year term. Contour’s term ends on November 30 of 2025.
According to the order, DOT expects a smooth transition from SkyWest to Contour, with no pause in service for passengers. SkyWest is expected to notify all passengers with reservations after the termination date to either assist them with making alternate plans or provide refunds.
SkyWest is also leaving the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport in southwest Missouri, and the airport plans to contract with Contour as well. Nicolette Brennan with the city of Cape Girardeau says the airport is still waiting for DOT approval of that contract, but leaders are expecting it to come through “any day now.” If approved, Contour will offer a 30-seat jet providing two flights a day to Nashville from Cape Girardeau.
Download the PDF below to read the full order from the DOT, including Contour’s proposal.