opinion

Finally, hope of a real airline in the Shenandoah Valley

News that SkyWest Airlines may soon be the principal commercial carrier out of Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport is the most welcome economic development news of the week and a reason to fly SHD again.

Getting an airline that people have actually heard of, that has an arrangement with United so checked baggage can be carried through to the final destination, and the fact that they will be flying to Dulles and O’Hare are all welcome differences from the airport’s current carrier.

The airport commission was correct to search for a new carrier after repeated poor service by ViaAir, the current carrier. It appears they have hit a home run.

As reader Cliff Garstang tweeted, “Flights to IAD and ORD from SHD, that would be awesome.”

We agree. Two different routes on 50-seat jets would bring a pre-2001 level of service back to the local airport.

If it happens, and we hope it is approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation, flyers should give SHD another try. Nothing will work there without the market’s help to keep it afloat. Sure, there is a large federal subsidy that helps make commercial air service from Weyers Cave happen at all. But it won’t work long term without Valley flyers putting SHD back into their list of options.

The recent poor service and unpredictability of air travel have undoubtedly caused flyers to become more accustomed to boarding from other farther away locations. Once this change is approved, travelers owe SHD, with its free parking and short security lines, another look.

The airport is critical to the economic life of Augusta and Rockingham counties. It is great to see a new carrier that will raise the level of service and get us where we are going in a more predictable manner.

Our View is the opinion of our editorial board: Roger Watson, president; David Fritz, executive editor; and William Ramsey, news director.