The Boone County Airport could soon have a new airline to welcome to Harrison. The airport's board voted to recommend the Department of Transportation award the airport contract for essential air service to Contour Airlines.
According to the Harrison Daily Times, Contour is operated by Corporate Flight Management and is used as the company's charter/EAS provider, and CEO Matt Chaifetz says it still works in the charter business with corporate and celebrity clients. Their proposal includes offering two round trips to Dallas and one to Memphis each day.
Contour was one of seven airlines making proposals to the airport after the predecessor, SeaPort Airlines, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in September. During Monday's board meeting, airport manager Judy McCutcheon said Aeronautics, Inc., didn't offer flights to Memphis that are important for FedEx employees. Silver Airways would require Traffic Safety Administration staff at the airport and added safety requirements. According to McCutcheon, Great Lakes Arlines had proven unreliable in the past, and Air Choice One offered round-trip flights to St. Louis which is not a popular hub in Harrison.
After narrowing her choices down to three providers, McCutcheon sais some airports were concerned Boutique Airlines was spreading itself too thin, and the plane for Southern Air would be slower than the twin-engine planes Contour plans to use.
Contour's proposal also includes two airplanes, two complete crews and a mechanic in Harrison. McCutcheon said Contour had taken ten seats out of the 19-seat Jetstream 31 to avoid TSA requirements, but they could be added back to the plane if necessary.
After discussion, the board approved recommending awarding the contract to Contour Airlines with one dissenting vote, but they will have to await final approval from the Department of Transportation.
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