Cape Girardeau regional airport keeps Contour service, adds Dallas flights and seasonal Pensacola route

Keith Beller, chair of the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport advisory board, said the airport renewed its Essential Air Service (EAS) contract with Contour Airlines, a decision that took effect Oct. 1 and brought expanded service to two major hubs and a new seasonal route.

"We had 6 airlines that were interested," Beller said, describing the federal EAS bidding process that subsidizes some small-market routes. "So ultimately determined along with the DOT that, Contour would be the best fit for Cape Girardeau." Beller said the airport asked for service to two destinations and secured both.

Under the renewed arrangement, Contour began service to Dallas–Fort Worth on Dec. 1, and Beller said current schedules include about seven round trips daily to Chicago and five round trips daily to Dallas–Fort Worth, with hopes the frequencies will continue to grow. "The contract went into effect October 1. And on December 1, we added the service to Dallas Fort Worth," he said.

Beller described the aircraft used for the routes as operating in a 30-seat configuration that increases legroom compared with some 50-seat setups. He said that passenger comfort and reliable connections to major hubs were factors in the airport’s planning.

The airport has also secured a seasonal route to Pensacola, Florida. "It will go to Pensacola, Florida starting the April 1," Beller said, describing it as a roughly six-month seasonal service with two round trips a week, likely early in the week and a Saturday flight. He said Contour is committed to the two weekly round trips beginning in April.

Beller credited interest from airlines in part to the airport’s new terminal building and other infrastructure improvements. He said the old terminal now hosts the CEMO flight school, which he said currently houses about 14 aircraft and roughly 150 students.

Looking ahead, Beller listed additional projects the airport has teed up: a redesign and rebuild of one taxiway, maintenance work on the tower and installation of perimeter fencing around the airport’s more than 100 acres. "Those are the main things that are teed up right now, as projects," he said, and he noted that improved taxiways will help accommodate larger aircraft.

Beller said the advisory board—nine members with aviation and business backgrounds—works to provide community feedback to the airport manager and that a robust local air service supports economic development by enabling businesses to recruit talent and maintain connections to regional and national markets.

The airport’s expanded and seasonal services, along with planned infrastructure work and a growing flight school, mark the next phase of activity at the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. The advisory board will continue to advise airport management as schedules and projects evolve.