Air travelers in Southern Illinois may soon see new airline options at Veterans Airport near Marion, as four carriers—Contour Airlines, American Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and Denver Air—have submitted bids to provide federally subsidized commercial service.
Each airline’s proposal includes 12 weekly round trips to Chicago O’Hare, with some also offering additional service to hubs like Dallas, Charlotte, Nashville, or Washington Dulles. Airport Director Doug Kimmel noted that this is the widest range of options the airport has seen in 25 years, with all bids featuring regional jet service.
The airport is seeking public input before making a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which will select the winning bid in early April. Community members can review the proposals and complete a survey on the airport’s website through March 18th.