Capito, Manchin Announce New Flight Services at Clarksburg, Lewisburg Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that Contour Airlines will provide Essential Air Services (EAS) to North Central West Virginia Airport in Clarksburg (CKB) and Greenbrier Valley Airport in Lewisburg (LWB). This announcement follows a March 2022 decision by SkyWest Airlines to terminate EAS services at 29 airports across the country, including Clarksburg and Lewisburg.

“Our airports in West Virginia are vital to connecting our residents and our communities with the rest of our country and world,” Senator Capito said. “These three-year contracts that will provide weekly service between our North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) in Clarksburg and our Greenbrier Valley Airport (LWB) in Lewisburg to Charlotte Douglas International Airport will not only create great opportunities for our residents, but will also serve as a gateway for people around the globe to visit West Virginia. I have long fought to keep Essential Air Services at our airports in West Virginia, and I’m thrilled to see this operation come to fruition.”

“Air service is absolutely critical for West Virginia, connecting our communities to the rest of the country, helping businesses export their products and increasing tourism across our great state,” Senator Manchin said. “I have fought for EAS program funding for years to bring quality, reliable air travel and new economic opportunities to West Virginia, and I am pleased Contour Airlines will be continuing these critical flight services at the Clarksburg and Lewisburg airports. I am grateful to DOT for their commitment to protecting EAS in West Virginia, and I will continue advocating for our transportation hubs across the Mountain State.”

Out of several applicants at both airports, DOT selected Contour Airlines to replace the services terminated by SkyWest for a three-year term beginning November 1, 2022 at Lewisburg Airport and a three-year term beginning December 1, 2022 at Clarksburg Airport. SkyWest is required to continue providing service at both airports until Contour services begin to ensure a smooth transition.

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