BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Contour Airlines may soon replace SkyWest Airlines, following an announcement by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik on May 9.

Officials say the Department of Transportation has officially approved an $11,218,457 grant for the Alternative Essential Air Service program in Ogdensburg.

“We are in the preliminary negotiations right now but we plan to sit down with Contour Air in the next week to ten days to finalize a deal,” Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority Executive Director Steve Lawrence confirmed.

Under the terms of the deal, which will run for 27 months and will likely begin on July 1, Contour Airlines will offer nonstop, roundtrip flights to Philadelphia International Airport, officials say.

“The start date we are aiming for is July 1, depending on negotiations we might end up a week or so on either side of that date but our target is July 1,” Lawrence said.

One of the primary obstacles following negotiations will be the transition between SkyWest and Contour to ensure flight service will go on uninterrupted.

“That is our main concern and that is something the two airlines will need to work on and discuss once negotiations are finished,” Lawrence said.

“I am proud to announce that Essential Air Service will continue at the Plattsburgh and Ogdensburg airports,” Congresswoman Elise Stefanik said.

“I advocate for critical air service programs every year to provide our North Country families with convenient and more accessible travel, as well as attract tourists to our region. I will continue to work to keep and expand this critical program throughout communities in New York’s 21st District.”