Staunton Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport has advised the US Department of Transportation (DOT) that it is unhappy with the EAS service provided by ViaAir (Orlando International) and asks that a new request for proposals be issued. The airport's correspondence says that that ViaAir has operated less than half of its scheduled services. The news comes just a month after Clarksburg airport also asked the DOT for a replacement for ViaAir on its EAS flights.

ViaAir was awarded the Shenandoah contract in October 2016 and commenced services in November, offering 12x weekly flights to Charlotte International. It got off to a poor start, however, when two of four scheduled flights on the first day were cancelled. A planned interline agreement with larger network carriers, specifically with American Airlines, has also not eventuated. The airport claims that because of repeated delays, cancellations and schedule changes, it is frequently in a position where it exceeds its subsidy cap of USD200 per passenger.

"Via is either unwilling or unable to provide consistent, reliable service as outlined in the DOT order for service to our community," the airport's complaint reads. "[W]e have determined that we can no longer allow public trust in air service to erode and we must ask the DOT's assistance in remedying this unfortunate situation that we believe is damaging our local business community and causing hardship to our citizens."

Following complaints earlier this year, ViaAir issued a response in February saying that they took the concerns seriously, and that the main operational issue was the availability of aircraft and MRO facilities which it was aiming to remedy.

"To date, from the commencement of EAS service, Via has invested approximately USD4 million in aircraft reliability and all E145 on our certificate are currently operationally ready," Via's response said. "An additional EMB 145, N833HK, is in the conformity process and will be available for service in May."

As previously reported, Clarksburg North Central West Virginia Airport is also looking for a replacement to ViaAir following "disappointing" service.