Contour Airlines and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced today that the regional carrier will launch new daily service next month from O’Hare International Airport to three small communities across the Midwest as a part of the federal government’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program. 

The airports that will be served from O’Hare for the first time include: 

• Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Illinois (MWA) 
• Kirksville Regional Airport in Kirksville, Missouri (IRK) 
• Owensboro–Daviess County Airport in Owensboro, Kentucky (OWB) 

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the people of Chicago, we are thrilled to welcome Contour Airlines to the world’s best-connected hub: O’Hare International Airport,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “This new, frequent service will provide fast connections to points across the globe for tens of thousands of residents in Southern Illinois, Northern Missouri and Western Kentucky.” 

Contour’s air service to all three destinations will be offered 12 times per week, with twice-daily service scheduled five days per week and once-daily service scheduled twice a week.  The service is offered as a part of the federal government’s Essential Air Service program, which aims to maintain air service to small communities across the country that would not otherwise be profitable.  

“We are so pleased to add Chicago to the Contour network and to introduce fast and reliable regional jet service to our new EAS communities. Together with our interline partner, American Airlines, these new flights make travel easy and affordable by providing seamless connectivity to destinations around the world,” said Contour CEO Matt Chaifetz.    

Each of Contour’s new destinations were previously served by Cape Air to either Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) or St. Louis, Missouri (STL). None of the three destinations have ever had scheduled passenger service to O’Hare. 

EAS is a key component of the extensive flight network offered at O’Hare International Airport. Contour’s new service will increase the number of cities served by EAS from O’Hare to 18. 

About Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA):  

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) owns and operates one of the world's busiest airport systems, comprised of O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago's airports offer service to more than 250 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 47 foreign countries, combined. Together, Chicago's airports serve more than 105 million passengers each year and generate approximately $70 billion in annual economic activity for the region. The CDA is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at either airport. For more information, visit www.flychicago.com. 

About Contour Airlines 

Contour Airlines was founded in 2016 as the regional airline brand of Contour Aviation, one of the largest Part 135 operators in the country as measured by hours flown. The carrier provides critical air service to 28 cities across the country, including 20 Essential Air Service communities, using a growing fleet of Embraer regional jets. Based in Smyrna ,TN, Contour Aviation also offers private jet charter, aircraft management services, and retail aircraft maintenance in addition to operating the FBO at the John C. Tune Airport in Nashville. Tickets for Contour Airlines service can be purchased at contourairlines.com.