Benedum Airport Authority receives 6 bids for EAS service at Clarksburg

Silver Airways’ current contract for Clarksburg expires Sept. 30. However, Silver Airlines is one of six airlines that bid on the new two-year service.

Airport Authority Director Ron Watson said the $2 million pledged by various entities toward obtaining a network carrier will sunset.

The board plans to rank the top companies, set up interviews and hold a public meeting to solicit input from community partners over the next three to four weeks.

“We must make sure we do what’s best for all our counties,” Watson said.

The board will make a decision by June 20 and the DOT is expected to make notifications by July on its decision.

Mike Mooney of Sixel Consulting Group Inc. gave a presentation on the air service options presented.

The airlines submitting bids are Aerodynamics, Inc., Atlanta; Boutique Air, headquartered in San Francisco; CFM (Contour Airways), Nashville; Southern Airways Express (Sun Air), Memphis; Via Air, Orlando; and Silver. These regional carriers offer hubs of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore/Washington International, Charlotte and Dulles.

The airlines are offering service in aircraft ranging from nine-seaters to regional jets, Mooney said, noting that the smaller planes provide more daily flights in and out of the airport.

“The carrier proposals offer a wide range of air service choices,” Mooney said. “Keys to rural market success are pricing, reliability, connectivity to large hubs, schedule, marketing, branding and image.”

He explained that Clarksburg EAS service must conform to new rules regarding a $200 maximum subsidy per origin and destination.

Mooney said network carriers are doing very well financially.

“The obstacle to recruiting is phenomenal due to the profit margin needed,” he said. “Rural aviation is struggling.”

Following the presentation, discussion was held on some of the benefits of each of the airlines.

“We are looking for more choices at a better hub,” board member Roger Diaz said.

Traci Miller of Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex ask several questions about possible flights to Pittsburgh, problems with Dulles International and addressing community concerns.