By Adam Pack
The Greenbrier County Airport Authority met Tuesday, May 17, to discuss a potential new essential air service (EAS) provider, updates on the new entrance sign, pay inflation awards, and more.
After discussion, the Authority awarded a one-time $1,000 inflation based pay award to full-time employees and $500 for part-time employees. Airport Director Brian Belcher explained that the payment would operate “much like a bonus check,” and would help as “everyone is struggling as inflation has just risen so fast, and on everything; on fuel, on food, on everything.” The pay increase was unanimously passed by the authority.
In other news, the authority discussed the most recent developments regarding the entrance sign. Airport Director Belcher commented that on Wednesday he had heard from a yet undisclosed contracting company and will be receiving a quote from said contractor soon for the cost of construction and installation of the sign.
Belcher added, “It’s just been really hard, because it’s such a unique design, being twelve feet tall, light up, with lots of stone work. It’s also difficult because a lot of contractors are really busy working on projects that are federally funded with all the new funding out there right now, and they also are light on staff at the same time.” Despite these difficulties, there seems to be movement on the sign and Belcher is excited to see it up and operational. “We’ve worked really hard to design a good looking sign, and it should live up to that and more.”
Lastly, the authority discussed updates regarding SkyWest and the current status of flight service at the Airport. Two months ago, SkyWest filed a cease request to stop providing air service to the airport. Close behind this decision, the Department of Transportation placed a stay on this action, disallowing SkyWest’s cessation of services based on the length of contract still to be fulfilled by the airline. The Department of Transportation then sent out a request for bids for airlines to provide service to LWB while SkyWest continues to provide air services until a final decision is made.
As of now, SkyWest has filed to rescind their order for LWB, and are awaiting the decision of the DOT on that filing. Meanwhile, the authority opened bids from four airlines, whose bid paperwork is available online at the DOT’s website. Therefore, the authority must now decide whether or not to remain with SkyWest should they be allowed to rescind their original withdrawal, or go with one of the four bidders.
Airport Director Brian Belcher was very adamant that, “We want this to be a community decision, ultimately, because it’s your airport, so I went to Lewisburg City Council and presented there, and the public is encouraged to come to airport authority meetings and to contact us and let us know.”
The authority has until their June 11 meeting to weigh their options and make a decision, public comment is encouraged at this time.