Officials discuss future of Barkley Airport since SkyWest action

After regional airline SkyWest announced its potential departure from Barkley Regional Airport last week, officials spoke with West Kentucky Star about what's next for the airport.

SkyWest announced its intention to terminate service to Paducah, Cape Girardeau and 27 other airports across the U.S. due to a pilot shortage. The filing would terminate service in the Paducah market in June, 90 days from the filing date.

Jay Matheny, Chairman of the airport board, said he would encourage the public to continue having confidence in flying out of Barkley Regional Airport.

"One of the things we are taking confidence in at this point is the fact that we are an essential air-service market." Matheny continued, "The DOT sees that as a high priority for making sure not only that air-service continues, but continues uninterrupted."

Matheny said there's a distinct possibility that nothing will change. He said the public should keep their flights booked whether they fall within the 90-day window or after, and SkyWest will reach out to ticket holders if there are changes to flight plans.

Beyond that, Matheny said one of the Department of Transportation's responses to SkyWest's request was to implement a hold order. 

The DOT denial of Skywest's plan said that "Congress has specified that the Department’s discretion to consider a reduction in basic EAS at individual EAS eligible communities is triggered not by a request from an air carrier... but by a request from the EAS eligible community. ... basic EAS requirements guarantee a minimum of two round trips a day, six days a week, to a large- or medium-hub airport."

The DOT further said that the agency intended to place consecutive orders on SkyWest “for additional 30-day periods as necessary.” 

Paducah Mayor George Bray said although they were aware of the pilot shortage, the announcement was a surprise to him and others in the industry.

"I was on a call with the network planning director for United Airlines yesterday, it was a surprise to United and it was a surprise to the Department of Transportation," Bray said, "The DOT wasn't particularly happy with the way SkyWest made the announcement. The way they orchestrated the whole thing. It's put the industry in a bit of a scramble."

Bray said the board along with everyone in the community that has put their heart and soul into the airport believes wholeheartedly that if necessary, they will be able to find another carrier.

"This market, I like to say it's the airport that keeps on giving because where we are situated geographically, we have a competitive advantage in that where our population is, people want to fly out of Barkley." Bray continued, "There will be a carrier that is definitely interested in this market."

Industry experts say small regional airlines are facing an unprecedented pilot shortage as cargo, foreign, and mainline carriers recruit young pilots, and offer them better pay to fly larger aircraft. 

You can hear the complete interview by clicking here.