MORGANTOWN — After eight years, the city of Morgantown is ready to ground its relationship with Southern Airways Express.
The Dominion Post confirmed on Tuesday that a selection committee comprised of local stakeholders has recommended SkyWest Airlines be awarded the city’s next Essential Air Service contract.
The final decision is now in the hands of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Essential Air Service, or EAS, is a federal subsidy provided directly to carriers to offset the cost of rural operations and ensure air service in smaller communities.
Southern Airways has been the EAS carrier servicing the Morgantown Municipal Airport since taking over for Silver Airways in 2016. The company flies nine-seat propeller-driven aircraft to Washington Dulles and Pittsburgh International Airport.
“The selection committee recommended SkyWest Airlines with a 50-seat jet aircraft and service to Washington Dulles (IAD) Airport and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Airport,” Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee explained. “SkyWest will be flying into and out of Morgantown as United Express Airlines.”
SkyWest Airlines operates through partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
According to the carrier’s website, it served more than 38 million passengers in 2023. It has a fleet of nearly 500 aircraft connecting passengers to 249 cities across 45 states, five Canadian provinces and parts of Mexico.
The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in St. George, Utah.
Along with SkyWest Airlines and Southern Airways, Boutique Airlines, Cape Air and Contour Airlines were also interviewed before the local recommendation was provided to the USDOT in early August.
The local selection committee was comprised of representatives from the city, WVU, Morgantown Area Partnership and the Visit Mountaineer Country CVB.
According to Riffee, the city hopes to have confirmation of its selection from the USDOT in the next 30 days or so.
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