There’s plenty of what many would consider good news lately for the North Central West Virginia Airport. Earlier this week, officials announced that ViaAir would be providing flights daily to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and flights four times a week to Charlotte.

 

That service is anticipated to start as early as Oct. 1.

 

On top of that, the twice weekly flights to Orlando are set to resume. In fact, the flights with Allegiant to Orlando resume this coming Thursday.

 

All of that’s good news. So what could possibly spoil it?

 

NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock reminded the traveling public that a week from Monday, Sept. 26, the final flight from Bridgeport to Myrtle Beach will take place.

 

The good news at what seems like bad news? Rock doesn’t think it’s the end of the service as the seasonal destination flight, which only lasts a few months, is something he anticipates returning. Right now, however, he’s not been given assurances that it will.

 

“I’d love to tell you we’ll have the flight back for a third year, but Allegiant takes time to look at the final numbers, partially because our numbers aren’t complete. Not being told they’re coming back at this time isn’t a problem,” said Rock. “When they do their evaluation that’s when they will start talking with airports and renewing flights. First, they’ll evaluate just how well we did.”

 

Performance has been pretty good. Rock said many flights have been at capacity, and plenty more have been well over 90 percent.

 

“We’re in the same range as the first year,” said Rock.

 

With a handful of flights left, the trips from NCWV have sold roughly 4,500 of 5,600 tickets that were available for the twice weekly service that started June 2. That means that more than 80 percent of the tickets have been sold and the final few flights will push that number higher.

 

“I’m assuming we’ll continue to have this flight next year. Things went well last year to about the same level and they extended the flight from the middle of August to near the end of September,” said Rock. “Again, it’s as assumption of my part because they have to look at the financials. What I do know is that the flight performed well again and the community supported it.”

 

Rock said once Allegiant reviews the numbers he hopes to meet with them to do more than talk about renewing the flights. He hopes to talk to them about extending the flights again.

 

“If the opportunity is there, we’ll be pitching to have them considering starting in May all the way through September and even into October,” said Rock. “Myrtle Beach’s season continues into October so if we can continue longer there’s no doubt there’s interest on our end”

 

As for when a decision will be made, Rock said he wasn’t sure. He said he hopes to know something in the next few months.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows an Allegiant plane in Bridgeport, while NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock is shown below.