When the North Central West Virginia Airport switched its federally subsidized flight service from Silver Airlines to ViaAir at the start of October in 2016, things went off relatively smoothly for a month. From the end of October until Wednesday afternoon, Airport Director Rick Rock said things took a change for the worse.

 

“The first month was great, but since then their reliability hasn’t been up to our standards and expectations,” said Rock. “They’ve had some flights in and out of here, but they’re cancelling more than they’re flying. The past two months the completion factor (flights that are completed as scheduled) has been 44 percent and 43 percent. That’s unacceptable.”

 

Rock broached the subject for several minutes during yesterday’s Benedum Airport Authority meeting. The Authority, the airport’s governing body, accepted the proposal to utilize ViaAir through the FAA-funded Essential Air Service program that provides daily flight service to rural communities.

 

The Authority, like Rock, thoroughly reviewed several proposals last year after the previous carrier, Silver Airlines that flew flights daily to Washington Dulles International Airport, continuously had issues with flights that led to fewer individuals using the service in Bridgeport. The new service, which previously operated in Beckley and had a near perfect reliability record Rock said when considered, was determined to be the best option.

 

Via offers daily flights to Baltimore. They also offer several flights weekly to Charlotte. All the flights are at a discount rate.

 

The prices and the routes led to a serious uptick in passenger totals. Those totals are now plummeting as February’s passenger totals were down several hundred from last year and Rock attributed it to the issues with ViaAir.

 

Although not a consolation, multiple airports that opted to go with ViaAir through the EAS program are having similar issues.

 

“All the airports are struggling. I don’t know they’re completion percentage, but I know they’re struggling,” Rock said, who added during the meeting that Via did not fly Wednesday due to maintenance issues.

 

The FAA’s EAS program, which is administered through the federal Department of Transportation, awarded the NCWV Airport $2.3 million in an annual subsidy to make the daily operation profitable. With the flights continuously struggling, Rock said the option is back on the table to find another carrier to replace ViaAir if things aren’t remedied soon.

 

“I talk to them every day and I’ve had assurances, but we still have the same problem,” he said. “There have been a few weather issues, but it’s generally mechanical and planes not being able to fly. We need the proper number of reliable aircraft to run these routes and, right now, there’s no reliability.”

 

During Wednesday’s meeting, Rock said ViaAir was hoping to remedy those issues with more aircraft. He doesn’t have 100 percent faith that is going to work at this point.

 

Rock said NCWV Airport, as well as others in the state that believe the service is unreliable, can revisit the agreement and find a new provider. He said he’s talked already with the DOT and they are aware of the situation. Passengers are aware of the situation as Rock said the airport has received numerous complains that, at this time, they can only forward to ViaAir.

 

“I feel their frustrations because I understand the importance of reliable air service for our community. I don’t like the idea of disappointing one passenger if possible, let alone multiple passengers,” said Rock.

 

Rock said if the airport goes back to the drawing board, the key – again – will be finding a reliable partner. The problem, he said, is that ViaAir came highly recommended and had a near perfect flight performance record.

 

“We’re going to work at this until we get it right,” said Rock.

 

For the time being, the airport is no longer marketing the service. All marketing being done is for the Allegiant flights to Orlando and the flights that can already be booked in June to Myrtle Beach.

 

“Everyone involved wants to see a good outcome from Via because the dual hub is nice,” said Rock to the Authority. “We’ve seen it work and work well and right now it’s not.”

 

Authority President Ron Watson touched on the marketing aspect. He said it’s hard for the airport, or individuals that offer travel service, to pitch the local flight service.

 

“It’s hard to market … when we don’t have the reliability,” said Watson.

 

Also Wednesday, MAAC Executive Director Tracy Miller told the Authority that nominations are being accepted for the West Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is housed in the terminal building in Bridgeport with a display as you enter to the right of the front entrance.

 

Nominations for those statewide that individuals believe had impacted the aviation world can nominate their choice through April 30. They can click HERE to find the forms.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Rick Rock at Wednesday's meeting, while a ViaAir flight is shown near the terminal in February. Bottom photo shows Ron Watson, left, and Ernie Coffindaffer, members of the Airport Authority, listening to Rock's report.