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County accepts Contour Airlines as Vernal carrier for 48 months
Summary
After reviewing four RFQ applicants, the Uintah County Commission accepted Contour Airlines as the carrier for Vernal Regional Airport for the next 48 months; airport manager explained interline vs. code-share and aircraft-seat differences among proposers.
The Uintah County Commission voted to accept incumbent Contour Airlines as the commercial carrier for Vernal Regional Airport for the next 48 months following a county-city review of four applicants.
Ken Campbell (S2), the airport manager, told commissioners the RFQ produced four applicants: SkyWest (Southern Utah), Advanced Air (California), Denver Air (formerly Key Lime Air, Denver) and incumbent Contour (Smyrna, Tennessee). He explained that proposals varied by aircraft size and partnership arrangements and detailed the operational tradeoffs, distinguishing interline connections from code-share relationships.
"Code share is the better qualified thing," Ken Campbell said, explaining that a code-share (for example SkyWest with Delta/United) allows frequent-flier credit to begin in Vernal, while an interline connection typically handles baggage transfer at the second leg. SkyWest proposed a 50-seat aircraft; other bidders proposed 30-seat aircraft. Campbell said the community could request waivers (AEAS/alternate essential air service) and that the city had already approved Contour unanimously.
Commissioner (S4) moved that the county accept Contour as the carrier for the next 48 months for the Vernal Airport. The Chair called the vote and commissioners voiced approval.
Why it matters: selection of a carrier influences regional connectivity, federal service eligibility and passenger volume; airport staff noted the potential capacity increase if a 50-seat aircraft is established and the community's interest in maintaining hub access such as Denver.
Next steps: the motion passed and county staff will finalize the agreement; transcript does not record contract terms, compensation or performance conditions.
