North Central West Virginia Airport's Flight Service is Recipient of "Big News" for Travelers Out of Bridgeport
By Jeff Toquinto on February 21, 2024
For those wondering what the next change would be in air service at the North Central West Virginia Airport, it was announced at Tuesday’s meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority.
Earlier this month, regional airline SkyWest, which used to operate the previous United Express flights out of the airport, acquired a 25 percent stake in Contour Airlines. The acquisition cost for the percentage of the Tennessee-based Contour was $25 million. Contour is the 
daily service provider at the airport that flies to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
daily service provider at the airport that flies to and from Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
For those thinking it might be unwelcome news, NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock told the Authority, the airport’s governing body, that it was just the opposite. He said this was a positive for the airport.
“This will add a lot of value to our operations,” said Rock. “… This will give (Contour) access to more aircraft along with codeshare and maintenance agreements that should lead to us seeing a real improvement in the overall current operations as well as long term.”
Rock was correct. Under SkyWest's agreement with Contour, SkyWest will provide aircraft for use by Contour. That is likely not surprising to those in the aviation business as SkyWest is the largest regional airline in the United States. Along with United Express and now
Contour, it manages routes for American Eagle, Delta Connections, and Alaska Airlines.
Contour, it manages routes for American Eagle, Delta Connections, and Alaska Airlines.
“Contour is joining the largest regional airline in the country and there’s really nothing but good things with this,” said Rock, who said the carrier has more than 400 aircraft. “… It’s going to build on everything we have here. This is big news, and it's another step in the right direction.”
Rock said he has already reached out to officials with Contour to talk about it. And with SkyWest previously operating under the United Express banner in Bridgeport, he has talked to his contacts there. The response on both ends? “Nothing but positive,” Rock said.
As for the planes, Rock believes they will still have the Contour logos on them, but seeing one with SkyWest is not out of the question. 
Contour uses CRJ200s that have been reconfigured with 30 seats.
Contour uses CRJ200s that have been reconfigured with 30 seats.
Perhaps the best news involves code sharing. Although Contour has an agreement with American Airlines to assist in the booking phase for connecting flights at Charlotte Douglass International Airport, this will lead to a full code share with American. What that means is you can soon book flights through American from Bridgeport. There will also be agreements in place with United Airlines as well, Rock said.
Tuesday’s meeting also saw a bevy of reports. The Authority was briefed on a state Economic Development Authority loan along with appointing several individuals to a trio of committees and hearing updates on the terminal project.
Those speaking from the audience included Thrasher’s Nicole Jones, Fairmont State’s Joel Kirk, and Ed Waske. Waske gave an update on the Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo, while Kirk talked about numerous initiatives at Fairmont State at their facility on the airport’s campus. Jones gave a brief engineer’s report.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows NCWV Director Rick Rock, while Joel Kirk of Fairmont State is shown in the second photo. Bottom photo shows a Contour Jet outside the NCWV Airport terminal building.
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