Airport Authority Gets Good News on Allegiant's Myrtle Beach Flight, while United Express Getting in Order
By Jeff Toquinto on April 22, 2026
North Central West Virginia Airport Director Rick Rock revealed some good news on upcoming Allegiant flights to Myrtle Beach and improving news on the new daily service by SkyWest flying as United Express from Bridgeport to Washington, D.C. and Chicago.
Although it is not exactly what NCWV Airport officials have been asking from their destination provider in Allegiant, Rock did reveal good news during Monday’s meeting of the Benedum Airport Authority. Rock told the airport’s governing body that the flight would begin a few
weeks earlier than usual.
weeks earlier than usual.
The flights to Myrtle this year will begin on Thursday, May 21. There will be two flights a week, Thursdays and Sundays, through Sunday, August 16.
“That’s as early as I can remember,” said Rock of the summer flights that began in June of 2015. “We’re thrilled to have it. We know a lot of people look forward to using this flight to get to the beach. It won’t be long before that first flight arrives.
“This is something we try to do, and even longer, every time we meet with Allegiant,” Rock continued. “This is one of those times they have agreed to extend, even if it’s just by a little bit. We welcome it.”
Rock also talked after the meeting about the new daily service provider. United Express took over from Contour after the FAA chose them to succeed Contour, which had been providing daily service to Charlotte Douglass International Airport, and to receive the annual multi-million dollar Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy.
The new service was initially to begin April 14, but several bugs in the system that have since been ironed out led to cancellations. On April 15, on what would become the first United Express flight to Washington’s Dulles International Airport, an emergency landing had to be made.
“The most important thing is that everyone was safe,” said Rock. “… I can assure you it was a harrowing experience for those on board.”
SkyWest said the aircraft requested airport vehicles to meet them upon landing due to a “smoky odor in the cabin.” Since then, Rock said there have been other issues that they have worked through as things are getting close to normal.
“There have been some delays and what not, particularly with weather in Chicago, which we dealt with before with United Express. We’re going to keep trying to control the things we can control, and our staff is doing a tremendous job of holding up things on our end … At the 
same time, we fully expect SkyWest to fully meet the goals they have established.”
same time, we fully expect SkyWest to fully meet the goals they have established.”
The Authority also heard a lengthy update on the multimillion-dollar airport terminal located off Jerry Dove Drive. Members were cautious to give an estimated opening date due to setbacks that have occurred. The broad date given was “sometime this summer.”
Discussion was also held on the layout of an access road at the new Aerotech Park. Concerns were raised regarding infrastructure in the area by Mayor Robert Matheny who sits on the board, along with the location hindering possibilities of further runway expansion. Matheny asked for the water line size to be upgraded, while BAA member Mike Romano had concerns about locking the road in place. 
The proposal, presented by the Thrasher Group's Nicole Jones Price, was eventually approved. However, continued discussion on it, along with other items, were held in executive session due to negotiations taking place with at least two businesses looking at space in the Aerotech Park that led to the configured layout.
During public comments, Dr. Brad Gilbert, Senior Professor and Director of Aviation Technology at Pierpont Community & Technical College, told the Authority a recent elimination dinner raised $20,000 for scholarships. He also said a career fair, which is open to the public, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 23, at the facility. The address is 1050 Industrial Road East, Bridgeport, WV 26330.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock, while the second image shows Bridgeport Mayor Robert Matheny talking about infrastructure at the Aerotech Park. In the third photo, NCWV Airport Consultant Anthony Bellotte discusses the traffic signal phase of the terminal project. Bottom photo shows Nicole Jones Price pointing out the options for a road to serve the Aerotech Park.
