Federal Funding for EAS Programs for Facilities Such as NCWV Airport to Go to Nov. 18 Despite Shutdown
By Jeff Toquinto on October 31, 2025
The North Central West Virginia Airport, along with more than 100 others nationwide, received short-term good news this week from the United States Department of Transportation.
Funding that was set to expire early in November for the USDOT’s Essential Air Service (EAS) because of the government shutdown has 
been extended. Airports were notified that the subsidy that allows rural airports like NCWV Airport to have daily flight service will continue.
been extended. Airports were notified that the subsidy that allows rural airports like NCWV Airport to have daily flight service will continue.
The USDOT has announced the payments to the carriers will continue through at least Nov. 18. What that means is that the daily Contour flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport to and from Bridgeport will keep operating despite the shutdown.
“I’m very pleased, and to see that people are still utilizing the flight because they need to get to where they need to be is encouraging,” said NCWV Airport Director Rick Rock. “This is welcome news.”
Rock said he hopes people will continue to book flights with Contour. He also said that while he hopes the government shutdown ends soon, 
he also feels there is a good chance Contour will continue flights even if EAS funding is cut off if the shutdown continues after Nov. 18.
he also feels there is a good chance Contour will continue flights even if EAS funding is cut off if the shutdown continues after Nov. 18.
“My communication with our carrier is that they’re going to continue to fly and support their customers and we appreciate that,” said Rock. “I have no indications, even if the funding was cut off, that Contour would not continue to fly routes because of their commitment to customers and the traveling public.”
Contour Airlines receives a $5.5 million annual subsidy to provide the flights. That service was scheduled to end Dec. 1 with the arrival of a new EAS provider – American Airlines operating through American Eagle.
The FAA still must approve the bid of American, but it is anticipated that will happen. Without the government shutdown, American would have started at the beginning of the year. Instead, Contour will continue to provide service as along as the EAS subsidy continues and until the transition to American can take place.
As for the shutdown continuing after Nov. 18, the USDOT would have to secure additional funds for the daily flights through EAS to continue. The USDOT said it will provide notice to airport and air carriers of that status in advance of the Nov. 18 date if the shutdown is not resolved.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows the first-ever flight in December of 2022 of Contour prepping for an early morning flight. NCWV Director Rick Rock is shown in a Connect-Bridgeport file photo below.
