Owensboro travelers will soon have access to United Airlines’ global network after the U.S. Department of Transportation officially selected United Express, operated by SkyWest Airlines, as the community’s next Essential Air Service carrier.
The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport announced Tuesday that United Express service is expected to begin this fall, replacing the federally subsidized service currently provided by Contour Airlines.
Airport Director Tristan Durbin said OWB received official notification from the Department of Transportation on Tuesday, marking the final approval needed to move forward with the transition.
“We have finally received notification from the Department of Transportation,” Durbin said. “They have awarded the bid for Owensboro to SkyWest, or United Express via SkyWest, and so we’re really excited about that.”
While flight schedules, fares, destinations, and launch dates have not yet been finalized, Durbin said airport officials now begin working through operational details with United and SkyWest.
“A lot of the work begins now,” he said. “Getting flight schedules set, equipment, staff, gate space — all of those logistics pieces. All that work really begins now.”
The service is expected to start sometime this fall. Durbin said Sept. 1 would be the earliest possible launch date, though he anticipates flights beginning closer to mid-October.
Under the proposal previously recommended by the airport board, United Express would offer service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, providing passengers with access to one of the world’s largest airline networks.
Passengers will be able to book directly through United, earn MileagePlus rewards points, check baggage through to their final destination, and connect seamlessly to domestic and international flights on a single itinerary.
Durbin said those expanded connections were a major factor in the airport’s support of the proposal.
“We’re extremely excited,” he said. “I think it’s going to have such a massive impact on the ability to connect our community and our region to anywhere in the country and even internationally.”
He noted that both Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles offer extensive connection opportunities beyond the initial flights from Owensboro.
“The options out of both Chicago and Dulles are just so vast,” Durbin said. “We’re just excited.”
The new service will replace Contour Airlines as Owensboro’s Essential Air Service provider, but airport officials said travelers should not expect any interruption in service during the transition.
Contour will continue operating its current schedule until United Express begins flights.
“If United starts on a Monday, Contour’s last flight would be Sunday night, and then Monday morning everything is United,” Durbin said. “There’ll be no interruption in service.”
Airport officials said additional details, including schedules, fares and booking information, will be released as agreements are finalized in the coming weeks.
The change represents the latest evolution in Owensboro’s commercial air service. Three years ago, the airport transitioned from turboprop aircraft to daily jet service with Contour Airlines. Airport leaders believe the move to United Express will further expand travel options and strengthen Owensboro’s connectivity to national and international destinations.
“We look forward to welcoming United Express service to Owensboro,” airport officials said in a statement, “and will share schedules, destinations, fares, and additional details soon.”
