Latest news with #ContourAirlines
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Flights to Chicago O'Hare airport return to Greenbrier Valley Airport
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS) – A highly requested flight route made a touchdown at the Greenbrier Valley Airport on Monday evening, June 2nd, 2025. A single Contour airplane made a safe landing onto the airports runway. Passengers and crew from Chicago were welcomed with a water cannon salute by two airport firetrucks. This was to welcome a returning flight route – Greenbrier Valley Airport to Chicago O'Hare airport. The last flight between both airports happened three years ago. WorkForce West Virginia announces upcoming Virtual Job Fair date Officials with the Greenbrier Valley Airport and Contour Airlines said they are happy to officially bring it back. It's been a couple of months to get it in place. We've been serving this airport since 2022 and have had an ongoing dialogue about getting Chicago services back in partnership with the airport and The Greenbrier.' President of Contour Airlines Ben Munson It's a great hub. You can get from Chicago and be any place you need to be. It's a great addition to our airport.' Airport Director at Greenbrier Valley Airport Martha Livesay Airport Director Martha Livesay said with summer in full swing, the welcoming of more tourists will be good for business across the Greenbrier Valley. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Federal money is essential to North Country airports; Trump wants to cut it in half
If you live in the North Country, you know flights can be expensive. Air travel often involves hours of driving, expensive airport parking, and even pricier tickets. But if you're looking to travel to a few cities around the eastern U.S. and your schedule is flexible, you might be able to find far cheaper tickets for direct flights from one of five North Country airports. That's because of the Essential Air Service, a federally funded program aimed at providing affordable air travel to rural regions. Now, President Donald Trump is proposing to cut EAS funding by $308 million or more than 50%, as outlined in the discretionary funding requests the White House published in early May, which argued, 'The EAS program funnels taxpayer dollars to airlines to subsidize half-empty flights from airports that are within easy commuting distance from each other, while also failing to effectively provide assistance to most rural air travelers.' Empty seats and idle airports There are five EAS airports in the North Country: Plattsburgh, Lake Clear, Massena, Ogdensburg, and Watertown. In mid-May, a direct flight from Plattsburgh to Dulles near Washington DC. had just 12 passengers on the 30-seater plane operated by Contour Airlines. The round-trip flight cost $158. The availability and affordability of direct flights from rural regions like the North Country to larger cities dates back to the 1970s when the federal government was deregulating the airline industry. Some lawmakers worried that rural populations would be left without any service at all. So Congress created what would later become the Essential Air Service. The goal was to serve places like the North Country, where people regularly drive hours to larger hubs like Syracuse, Albany or Burlington. 'Anytime I travel, it saves me four hours, at least- two hours one direction, two hours another direction,' explained Andre Dauphin, who lives in Ausable and spends about 50% of his time traveling for work. 'Rather than doing the commute and the traveling and dropping off a car at a rental place, I don't have to do all that,' said Dauphin. 'It saves me a lot of time and money, and it saves my company a lot of time and money.' Trump's budget says EAS spending is 'out of control' When President Donald Trump proposed a 50% cut to EAS funding, some lawmakers including Senator Chuck Schumer raised the alarm. 'That would devastate North Country airports and hurt places or smaller airports- Watertown, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Massena, Adirondack Regional airport,' said Schumer. Those five North Country airports got more than $31 million in 2024, more than double what they received five years ago. EAS funding nationwide has more than doubled since then, as well. Trump's proposed budget points that out, saying 'spending on programs is out of control.' Ray Mundy agrees. He's a retired college professor who taught about transportation issues and published a cost-benefit analysis of the Essential Air Service in 2015. 'Even though the intentions of the program were good, the politicians that arranged for them are good, the local people that want an airport are good, it's just a waste of money,' said Mundy. The subsidized price per passenger Last year, Plattsburgh got $6.8 million in EAS funding. According to federal data, it served about 93,000 passengers, equating to a $74 subsidy per person. For even smaller North Country airports, the subsidy is much higher. About 6,100 people boarded flights out of Ogdensburg airport in 2024 and the airport received $8.8 million in EAS funding, resulting in an average subsidy of $1,400 per passenger. Last fall, NCPR intern Zach Jaworski was one of just 13 passengers on an Airbus that can seat nearly 140. He spoke with flight attendant Li'i Issacs. 'The smallest flight that I've had was when we did this first trip two days ago. We only had two people on our plane,' said Issacs. 'I've never had a crew that outnumbered the passengers.' Ticket sales have gone up from Ogdensburg in recent months, but flights are still only about 30% full. Airport manager Charlie Garrelts says despite that fact, he believes EAS airports are vital to the North Country's economy. 'Residents in rural areas, a lot of them are depending on air service to travel for specialized medical care or higher education opportunities.' Garrelts says another big percentage of passengers are Canadian. While the Ottawa airport is just about an hour north, flights from Ogdensburg are cheap, and parking is free. Canadian travelers have their choice of airports near the border that are subsidized by American taxpayers, from Watertown, Ogdensburg, Massena, and Plattsburgh. Burlington resident David Rovinsky was flying from DC back to Plattsburgh due to air traffic control issues in Newark upending his travel plans to fly to Burlington. Rovinsky said it's difficult to weigh the costs and benefits of EAS funding, since some things are just hard to quantify. 'There's an element of public good here,' said Rovinsky. 'This is important to maintain communities and even if the airport doesn't completely pay for itself, it provides other social benefits that, in turn, justify making up that difference with government money.' Just how much government money will keep flowing is now up to Congress.
Skift
06-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Can Small Cities be Spirit's Savior? Carrier Eyes Underserved Markets in New Deal
This new partnership looks like a smart workaround within the limits of Spirit's operating model. If routes are chosen well, it could be the most creative chapter yet in the carrier's post-bankruptcy playbook. Spirit Airlines, still navigating its post-bankruptcy recovery, is betting on 'historically underserved regions' to help fuel its comeback. The ultra low-cost carrier has announced a strategic partnership with regional operator Contour Airlines. It aims to link Essential Air Service (EAS) markets in the United States with major leisure destinations. The deal gives Spirit access to small cities without the overhead of traditional regional operations. Depending on its scale, it could mark a smart step towards profitable network growth after a challenging few months. According to the companies, the agreement 'will increase connectivity to the national air transportation system and bring affordable travel options to underserved communities across the country.' Contour is best known as one of the largest operators within the U.S. Department of Transportation's EAS program. It currently serves 22 EAS airports across the continental United States, focusing on the Southeast and Midwest. To help balance the books, Contour will provide ground-handling services to Spirit at its existing EAS airports. For Spirit, this avoids the cost of contracting its own independent ground handling agents at off-beat locations which may only be served several times a week. Contour also said it will 'leverage its deep community relationships' to cross-market the new Spirit flights. Low-Cost Model; Low-Cost Entry 'Our new partnership with Contour gives us an exciting opportunity to grow our network and explore low-cost entry into new markets that currently have limited service," said John Kirby, VP of Network Planning at Spirit. The Florida-based budget carrier has not disclosed which new airports it plans to serve. In a joint statement with Contour on Monday it said it will 'introduce service to major leisure destinations from a number of Contour's EAS markets.' The companies added that the partnership will 'significantly expand the utilization and reach of the airports served.' Initial routes are expected to be announced this summer ahead of the all-important winter leisure travel season. While it remains to be seen which airports are served, the deal could mirror the successful strategy of Allegiant Air. The Las Vegas-based operator's business model connects smaller cities – usually with little or no direct competition – with major leisure destinations. "EAS communities no longer need to choose between national connectivity and low fares,' added Contour president, Ben Munson. 'The combination of service from our two airlines is the best formula to grow passenger traffic in these underserved airports.' Contour confirmed that its EAS contract work will continue. This typically sees the carrier fly from underserved markets to major connecting hubs of its partners. These include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and United. Spirit Eyes Sustainable Growth The development follows a turbulent year for Spirit Airlines. The carrier filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November, just months after its proposed merger with JetBlue was struck down in court. Ultra-low-cost rival Frontier previously made an offer to acquire Spirit. However, this was rejected by Spirit's shareholders after JetBlue made an all-cash offer valued at $3.8 billion, which included a higher break-up fee. In January, Frontier management made a renewed bid for Spirit. Writing at the time, Frontier chairman Bill Franke described the proposal as 'a compelling opportunity that will result in more value than Spirit's standalone plan.' This additional approach was promptly knocked back by Spirit, which said it wanted to stick to its plan as a standalone carrier. In March, Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc., the parent company of Spirit Airlines LLC, emerged from its financial restructuring. Last month, former Sun Country Airlines president and CFO Dave Davis was appointed as Spirit's new CEO. Spirit has struggled to turn a profit in recent years for a variety of reasons, including Pratt & Whitney engine issues and sustained demand for premium and international travel. The Allegiant Travel Company, the parent firm of Allegiant Air, is due to report its first-quarter earnings later on Tuesday. How Allegiant's Florida Resort Became a Drain on Its Profits Allegiant wanted to go into the hotel business with a sprawling resort in southwest Florida. Now, just over a year later, it's looking to offload the costly hotel. Read More What am I looking at? The performance of airline sector stocks within the ST200. The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including network carriers, low-cost carriers, and other related companies. The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more airlines sector financial performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dulles International Airport welcomes new airline
DULLES, Va. () — Dulles airport is introducing a new airline to its already extensive lineup. The Dulles International Airport (IAD) announced on Thursday that it is welcoming its newest airline, Contour Airlines. Ben's Chili Bowl opens location inside Dulles Airport The new airline will be offering nonstop flights to Macon, Ga., and Plattsburgh, N.Y. To book with Contour Airlines, click . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
REAL-ID will be required for West Virginia residents to board flights
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — Residents of the Mountain State will soon need to have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license to board flights starting in May 2025. According to a press release, starting on May 7, 2025 residents of the Mountain State will need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license if they want to board an airplane for a domestic flight. Contour Airlines adds flight between Greenbrier Valley Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport Anyone who does not have a driver's license that is REAL ID-compliant will need to have another form of approved identification, like a passport, to board flights and to enter military bases or secure federal facilities. REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses are marked with a gold star, which shows that the license meets federal regulations which show minimum security standards. The press release stated that people can get a REAL ID-compliant license at their local DMV, and will need to have documents that prove West Virginia residency and U.S. citizenship. People looking to get a REAL ID can make the process quicker by using the WV DMVEZ app to upload documents, or they can go online to the DMV REAL ID HeadStart page. If you do not have a REAL ID, please do not wait until the last minute as we do expect an influx of people trying to obtain that. Everett Frazier | Commissioner of the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Documents that people will need to get a REAL ID includes one proof of identity (passport or U.S. birth certificate), proof of legal presence for non-U.S. citizens, two proofs of West Virginia residency, social security card (for those who have one), and a current driver's license for those applying to exchange one issued by another U.S. state. Raleigh County man criminally cited after loaded gun found at West Virginia International Yeager Airport According to the press release, after May 7, 2025, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at ticket document checking stations in airports will look for licenses that are REAL ID-compliant or other permitted forms of ID due to federal law (The REAL ID Act of 2005) that requires that a REAL ID is necessary for federal identification purposes. Signs will be located at airports across the nation as a reminder that starting May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant licenses or other acceptable forms of ID, such as a valid passport, will be required for those traveling by air. Additional information about how to get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or identification card in the Mountain State can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
