The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has selected Air Wisconsin to provide subsidized Essential Air Service (EAS) to Parkersburg, West Virginia/Marietta, Ohio, marking the airline’s first participation in the federal EAS program.
Beginning Oct. 1, the regional carrier plans to operate 12 weekly round-trip flights between Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina, using 50-seat CRJ-200 aircraft.
The two-year contract extends through September 30, 2027, with the airline receiving an annual subsidy of $5.2 million in the first year and $5.56 million in the second.
Air Wisconsin’s bid was the lowest-cost option among five proposals submitted, which included entries from SkyWest, Breeze, Denver Air Connection, and Contour. The DOT noted that while the local airport authority preferred SkyWest’s proposal with an American Airlines codeshare, Air Wisconsin offered comparable connectivity at a substantially lower cost.
The service will operate under a full codeshare with American Airlines, providing passengers with access to American’s network. Air Wisconsin also committed $40,000 annually to market the new route to the surrounding community.
The DOT stated that Air Wisconsin “offers the strongest overall proposal” despite the lack of community endorsement.
The DOT directed Air Wisconsin and the incumbent carrier, Contour, to ensure a smooth transition with no service hiatus. Contour currently serves the route under a separate agreement that expires on Sept. 30.
Air Wisconsin, headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin, has operated as a regional carrier for major airlines for decades but had not previously held an EAS contract. Earlier this year, American ended its regional capacity contract with the carrier, leaving it with no regularly scheduled flights since early April.
