(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

As a Williamstown resident who’s taken numerous domestic and international trips — to Canada, Europe, and Australia — all starting at Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (MOV) in recent years, I’m alarmed and concerned by the DOT’s selection of Air Wisconsin for MOV’s Essential Air Service (EAS) under Docket DOT-OST-2005-20734. MOV is vital for keeping Wood County’s 85,000+ residents and surrounding counties from driving to Charleston, Columbus, or Pittsburgh. Air Wisconsin’s lack of clarity concerning their relationship with American Airlines may violate 49 U.S.C. 41733(c)(1) and threatens local travel and our region’s economy. On top of that, just because Air Wisconsin came in with the lowest bid doesn’t mean it’s the best option for MOV.

Air Wisconsin’s Waterloo, IA, abandonment, chronic delays, and over 600 layoffs in 2025 prove it’s a disaster. Their $40,000 marketing plan is a cruel sham, ensuring failure. Morgantown enjoys SkyWest’s United service, Clarksburg has Contour — why does MOV get saddled with an airline that presents uncertainty now and in the near future? SkyWest’s United Express (Chicago O’Hare and Washington-Dulles) and American Airlines (Charlotte-Douglas and Chicago O’Hare) bids offer reliable connections to 271+ destinations with better aircraft and more company stability. Even Denver Air Connection and Contour would be better than Air Wisconsin! I’m sure if the Airport Authority wanted “more of the same,” Contour would’ve been the pick, but MOV’s authority and residents demand SkyWest. I’ve written to Congressman Riley Moore and Senators Capito and Justice, demanding that they pressure Albert Muldoon (albert.muldoon@dot.gov) to reverse this decision. I would encourage anyone who uses this airport, or is thinking about using this airport in the future, to speak up — our airport’s future is at stake.

Jim Ashley

Williamstown