Projects are in progress at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport. The installation of the LED lighting for the main runway will take until July. (Photo by Candice Black)
WILLIAMSTOWN – Airport numbers are gradually returning from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the discussion at the Wood County Airport Authority meeting on Tuesday.
There were 339 enplanements for March, 87 more than in the previous year. According to Glen Kelly, manager of Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, the numbers are about as high as they were in 2019.
“(It’s a) very positive trend. You have planned 110 in the past three days. We’re starting to see how it comes back. “ Kelly said.
Aircraft are filled daily between Beckley and Parkersburg, said Chuck Peters, station manager at Contour Airlines.
About half of the flight schedules were bookings made through American Airlines due to the interline agreement that allowed passengers to book through American Airlines to any destination and fly from Parkersburg without having to check in baggage again.
The airport audit was discussed and no deficiencies were found.
All three roofs are finished and the LED lighting project is underway and is expected to be completed in July.
To diagnose an erosion problem, terrain samples were taken on the airport grounds.
“I’m excited to see what they’ll say what we need to do to fix this. We’re seeing more erosion this year. “ Kelly said. “They think they have to put a wall in.”
A joint meeting with the Marketing Group, the Mid-Ohio Valley regional airport authority, will be held later this month to discuss the group’s future. Kelly hopes to form an advisory board and work with chambers of commerce, chambers of congress and visitor bureaus.
Wood County Airport Authority President Bill Richardson cited airport grant options for COVID-19 relief and said the agency would consider applying for those funds.
Get the latest news and more in your inbox
Comments are closed.