Officials of Clarksburg North Central West Virginia Airport are once again on the lookout for a provider of Essential Air Services (EAS), with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) approving the airport's request to cancel its alternate EAS with ViaAir (Orlando International).
As previously reported, Clarksburg served a termination notice on former EAS provider ViaAir after experiencing a "disappointing" service. The airline offered flights to Beckley, Charlotte International, Lewisburg Greenbrier Valley, Parkersburg and Washington Dulles, and ceased operations at Clarksburg in April 2017.
Under the terms of the alternate EAS DOT grant, ViaAir was to provide charter air transportation, but now Clarksburg has reverted back to a standard EAS which provides for scheduled air transportation. A formal request for proposals (RFP) has now been issued.
According to DOT data, for the year ended March 31, 2017, Clarksburg handled around 27 passengers per day. It expects RFPs to therefore include larger aircraft, offering 12x flights per week to a large- to medium-hub airport.
Prior to ViaAir taking up the EAS contract, Clarksburg was served by Silver Airways (3M, Fort Lauderdale International), which connected the airport to Morgantown, Parkersburg and Washington. That contract was also terminated following two years.
