Air Wisconsin removes Essential Air Service bid for Mid-Ohio Valley Airport.

Air Wisconsin has withdrawn from commercial service at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport. The service was to begin on Oct. 1.

The carrier that was awarded the federally-subsidized Essential Air Service bid in August informed the U.S. Department of Transportation of its decision in a letter dated on Monday.

At a meeting of the Wood County Airport Authority this morning, Airport Manager Ben Auville said incumbent carrier Contour Airlines is expected to continue providing service until a new airline can take over. That will likely be Skywest, the next lowest bidder in the process from earlier this year.

No official announcement has been made by the Department of Transportation.

The letter from Air Wisconsin to the transportation department said the company has changed its strategic direction. Auville said the company’s assets are being sold.

Read more in Wednesday’s edition.