USDOT selects SkyWest to provide flights at Greenbrier Valley Airport

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

In good news for travelers in and out of the Greenbrier Valley, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) formally selected SkyWest to provide Essential Air Service to and from Lewisburg as a continuation of Essential Air Service flights. The contract lasts the for the next four years at a rate of more than $6 million annually paid by the federal government directly to SkyWest to subsidize the rural flights.

Air service by SkyWest will begin in early 2026. Until that time, Contour Airlines will continue to provide daily flights from Lewisburg. According to airport officials, SkyWest will continue providing service to Chicago and Charlotte, as Contour did.

“We’re pleased that the DOT has made this selection official,” said Martha Livesay, Airport Director. “The (local) Airport Authority supported SkyWest’s proposal for its strong network connectivity and established airline partnerships.”

Headquartered in Utah, SkyWest maintains partnerships with United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. Last year, they flew more than 42 million passengers total.

SkyWest also provides Essential Air Service (EAS) at other West Virginia regional airports including Morgantown.

Essential Air Service Program

Following passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” earlier this year, as first reported by RealWV, some state airport officials expressed concern that funding for the EAS program was being cut. While the bill cut funding for the program in half, they hoped the DOT would be able to fund the program through the support of the Congressional delegation, including Sen. Shelley Moore Capito and and Sen. Jim Justice. That wish appears to have come true.

Last year, EAS subsidized local flights in 112 rural communities across the United States plus another 65 in Alaska. The total cost? $550,008,083 as of October 2024, the last time DOT released statistics. 

West Virginia received approximately $20 million last year from EAS at five airports–Beckley ($2.8M), Clarksburg ($5.5M), Lewisburg ($6.4M), Morgantown ($3.3M), and Parkersburg ($2.1M). 

Consistency a key selling point

Contour submitted a bid to continue providing service in and out of Lewisburg, but their bid was not the first choice of the local Airport Authority or the DOT. One of the main selling points both parties in choosing SkyWest was their reputation for consistent service, allowing consumers greater confidence when making flight plans, according to the final order.

Passengers can book flights now using Contour for the remainder of 2025 and then for SkyWest beginning in early 2026.