Contour Airlines station manager Chuck Peters, right, spoke about airline updates before the Mid-Ohio Valley Airport Authority during Tuesday’s meeting. (Photo by Candice Black)

WILLIAMSTOWN — The future of the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport Authority, the marketing group for the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, was discussed during Tuesday’s meeting.

During the last regional airport authority meeting in November 2020, it was brought up that the group should potentially dissolve and those present talked about that possibility.

Wood County Commissioner Blair Couch talked about the history of the marketing group and its successes in the past. Couch said the group was formed to use a grant of $500,000 for marketing, however, when those funds were gone, Couch said no more marketing money was received.

At the time, it was intended for the regional authority members to take marketing off the plate of the Wood County Airport Authority. Couch said it was hoped outlying counties would budget airport marketing into their finances to provide funds, but they have not done so.

“(It’s) no harm no foul on Washington or any of the other outlying counties, that’s just not part of your budget,” he said.

Couch recommended meeting with the Wood County Airport Authority to discuss whether the regional authority is needed. Airport Manager Glen Kelly said he will speak with the Wood County Airport Authority about a meeting.

It was agreed by all present that it is hoped Contour Airlines will remain at the airport.

Kelly reported the airport asked to extend the contract with Contour and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., wrote a letter outlining his support of Contour and its presence at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport.

“I understand that, if approved, funding provided by this opportunity will continue to improve local markets and increase traffic in both airports, as well as reducing the average subsidy per passenger and increasing enplanements,” Manchin said. “For example, Contour Airlines was able to add an interline agreement with American Airlines, providing additional incentive for passengers to fly and from these two locations in the state.”

With the interline agreement, Manchin said those types of improvements “are crucial for our economic growth and the state’s tourism industry.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, Chuck Peters, station manager for Contour Airlines, provided some new updates with the airline.

Beginning April 1, flights will depart 10 minutes later, at 8:05 a.m. due to increased traffic at the Charlotte airport.

Starting in July, flights will be added on Tuesdays and Saturdays — flights will then be offered seven days a week.

Flights will increase from 12 to 14 per week.

“We projected this will increase passenger loads,” Peters said.