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Kirksville council recommends Contour Airlines’ Option B to U.S. Department of Transportation for essential air service
Summary
The Kirksville City Council unanimously voted to recommend Contour Airlines’ Option B — a 36-month proposal offering 12 weekly round trips (seven to Chicago, five to Dallas–Fort Worth), starting Aug. 1, 2026 — to the U.S. Department of Transportation as the preferred essential air service carrier. The council emphasized the recommendation is advisory and the DOT will make the final carrier selection.
The Kirksville City Council voted to send a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation endorsing Contour Airlines’ Option B as the preferred carrier for the city’s Essential Air Service.
Jeff (staff member) told the council an evaluation committee of nine people — including representatives from the airport transportation committee, the tourism/communications office, the deputy city manager, ATSU and Truman — reviewed proposals from three carriers and unanimously recommended Option B. “It was a unanimous decision to move forward with Contour Airlines. Option B is providing 12 round trips a week, seven to Chicago, five to Dallas Fort Worth,” Jeff said.
Under Option B, the proposed contract would run for 36 months beginning Aug. 1, 2026, and the staff reported an average one-way ticket price of about $85 across the two destinations. Jeff said the switch to larger 30-passenger aircraft had allowed the airport to exceed prior annual passenger totals, but that with a 30-seat plane the Department of Transportation limits the community to 12 roundtrips per week rather than the higher frequency possible with smaller aircraft.
Council members expressed support for the committee’s work and emphasized the recommendation is advisory. Staff clarified the council’s role: the city can recommend a preferred carrier, but the U.S. Department of Transportation makes the final selection and controls the subsidy and contract award.
Council approved the motion to forward the recommendation by voice vote. The DOT will review proposals and issue the final decision on the Essential Air Service contract.
