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29-621: The airport opened as Muscle Shoals Auxiliary Field in February 1940, but in 1942 it was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces , as a World War II pilot training military airfield. It was assigned to the AAF Flying Training Command, Southeast Training Center (later Eastern Flying Training Command) as a basic (stage 2) pilot training airfield. Pilot training at the airfield apparently ended on May 30, 1944, with

58-696: A Missouri-based carrier, submitted a proposal to the US DOT to serve Muscle Shoals with flights to either Atlanta, Nashville or Memphis. Pending acceptance of the proposal, the airline was planning to begin flights in as little as 30 days. This airline never commenced service to Muscle Shoals. Eastern Airlines stopped at Muscle Shoals from 1947 to 1964. Southern Airways Douglas DC-9s flew nonstop to Atlanta and via Huntsville, and Southern Martin 4-0-4s flew to Memphis. Southern merged with North Central to form Republic, which continued at Muscle Shoals with DC-9-50s to Atlanta and with Convair 580s and Metroliners to Memphis. Republic

87-410: A focus city and purchase additional ERJ-135/145 aircraft. The goal was to provide efficient service to markets within driving distance but without direct flights to capture travelers who would rather drive than fly with a layover. The airline planned to serve Nashville , Pittsburgh and St. Louis from Indianapolis beginning June 10, 2020, however, the service had been suspended indefinitely due to

116-597: A relatively small and nimble workforce, the total number of employees being just over 800. The majority of its non-pilot staff, including ground crew, reservations agents, flight operations staff, and maintenance personnel, are non-unionized. This structure allows the airline to maintain flexibility in its operations and adapt quickly to changing market conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic , Contour Airlines, like many other carriers, faced challenges. However, due to its focus on essential air service routes and regional markets,

145-765: A suburb of Nashville . The facility serves as the nerve center for the airline's operations and administrative functions. In addition, it is the home of the Systems Operations Control Center (SOC), the Inflight Services Training Center (IFS), the Reservations Call Center (RES), and various other administrative offices. This centralized location allows for efficient coordination between different departments, supporting Contour Airlines' operations across its network. As of October 2024 , Contour Airlines operates flights serving

174-428: Is 6,694 by 150 feet (2,040 x 46 m) and 18/36 is 4,000 by 100 feet (1,219 x 30 m). In the year ending May 31, 2021, the airport had 36,805 aircraft operations, averaging 101 per day: 88% general aviation , 7% airline, 1% air taxi and 4% military. In November 2021, there were 60 aircraft based at this airport: 40 single-engine, 10 multi-engine, 1 jet and 9 helicopter . Contour Airlines Contour Airlines

203-509: Is 6,694 by 150 feet (2,040 x 46 m) and 18/36 is 4,000 by 100 feet (1,219 x 30 m). In the year ending May 31, 2021, the airport had 36,805 aircraft operations, averaging 101 per day: 88% general aviation , 7% airline, 1% air taxi and 4% military. In November 2021, there were 60 aircraft based at this airport: 40 single-engine, 10 multi-engine, 1 jet and 9 helicopter . Muscle Shoals Auxiliary Field Northwest Alabama Regional Airport ( IATA : MSL , ICAO : KMSL , FAA LID : MSL )

232-528: Is a public-use airport, located one mile east of Muscle Shoals , in Colbert County, Alabama . It is owned by the counties of Colbert and Lauderdale . The airport is serviced by Contour Airlines , and subsidized by the Essential Air Service program. Formerly, the airport operated as Muscle Shoals Auxiliary Field. The airport opened as Muscle Shoals Auxiliary Field in February 1940, but in 1942 it

261-642: Is an independent regional airline headquartered at Smyrna Airport in Smyrna, Tennessee , United States. Contour Airlines is set up as a public charter operator for regulatory purposes and does not directly operate aircraft. Contour Airlines charters 30-seat regional jets operated by its parent company, Contour Aviation , then resells seats on those aircraft to the public. The arrangement allows Contour to utilize pilots who are qualified to operate charter services, who can be either less experienced or older than allowed on commercial passenger flights. Contour Airlines

290-523: The COVID-19 pandemic. On July 28, 2021, Contour announced its relaunch in Indianapolis, beginning on October 12 and flying to Milwaukee , Nashville , and Pittsburgh . However, Contour quietly dropped Milwaukee and Pittsburgh less than three months later. According to Contour CEO Matt Chaifetz, the Indianapolis to Milwaukee route averaged 40% full and was climbing, but stalled in the winter due to fears over

319-526: The Essential Air Service subsidy to provide service between Muscle Shoals and Memphis. The cited reason was the retirement of partner Mesaba's Saab 340 fleet. Under federal law, Delta Connection must continue service to Muscle Shoals until a replacement carrier is found. In 2011, Air Choice One , a Missouri-based carrier, submitted a proposal to the US DOT to serve Muscle Shoals with flights to either Atlanta, Nashville or Memphis. Pending acceptance of

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348-675: The Fall of 2014, and began daily flights to Nashville and Memphis on January 12, 2015. SeaPort service lasted less than one year and ended on October 20, 2015. The US Department of Transportation awarded the EAS contract to Boutique Air in 2016. Boutique Air provided four round trips to Atlanta every day utilizing an 8-seat Pilatus PC-12 . However, this service has since been replaced by Contour Airlines ' flights to Charlotte, North Carolina . The airport covers 640 acres (259 ha ) at an elevation of 551 feet (168 m). It has two asphalt runways: 12/30

377-578: The Fall of 2014, and began daily flights to Nashville and Memphis on January 12, 2015. SeaPort service lasted less than one year and ended on October 20, 2015. The US Department of Transportation awarded the EAS contract to Boutique Air in 2016. Boutique Air provided four round trips to Atlanta every day utilizing an 8-seat Pilatus PC-12 . However, this service has since been replaced by Contour Airlines ' flights to Charlotte, North Carolina . The airport covers 640 acres (259 ha ) at an elevation of 551 feet (168 m). It has two asphalt runways: 12/30

406-525: The airline to both recruit young pilots and provide opportunities to pilots who would otherwise need to retire due to age. October 1, 2024 marked change for some routes. Contour now flies to Show Low and Manistee from Phoenix and Chicago , respectively. Altoona used to connect to Philadelphia , but now connects to Charlotte . Fort Leonard Wood and Cape Girardeau used to connect to Nashville but Chicago replaced Nashville. Contour no longer flies to Ogdensburg as Breeze Airways has replaced

435-402: The airline, now flying to Washington Dulles Airport . As of 2024, Contour Airlines employs approximately 800 people across its operations. Matt Chaifetz is the current President & Chief Executive Officer and has been leading the company since its founding in 2016. Kelly Ginn is the senior Executive Vice President responsible for the oversight and support of personnel needs at Contour. She

464-447: The airport to O'Hare International Airport starting August 1, 2023. The contract is set to last three years. Due to inflation, Cape Air opted in late 2022 to cease operations out of Owensboro before the end of their contract, which was scheduled to end in 2023. Contour Airlines was chosen to replace Cape Air and commence operations to and from Charlotte . However, both Contour Airlines and Owensboro Airport later decided to change

493-408: The company was able to navigate the crisis without significant layoffs. As air travel has rebounded, Contour has been actively recruiting to support its growth and expansion into new markets. The airline's leadership team is composed of the following executives: Contour Airlines' Corporate Headquarters is located at 808 Blue Angel Way, on the grounds of Smyrna Airport (MQY) in Smyrna, Tennessee ,

522-553: The drawdown of AAFTC's pilot training program. The airfield was returned to civil control at the end of the war. Until summer 2009 Muscle Shoals was served from Northwest Airlines' hub in Memphis by Northwest Airlink (Mesaba Airlines turboprops). After Northwest was acquired by Delta Air Lines, service was transferred to Delta's hub in Atlanta. This has seen increased passenger numbers and less market leakage to nearby Huntsville Airport. Despite

551-564: The following destinations: Contour uses a variety of regional jets in a 30-seat configuration under the Corporate Flight Management certificate. Contour has an interline agreement with American Airlines since October 2019, allowing passengers to travel via Contour and American under a single itinerary. Bookings can be made through third-party travel agencies, through the American Airlines website, or directly through

580-400: The increase in enplanements, on November 23, 2010, Delta announced that it would not re-apply for the Essential Air Service subsidy to provide service between Muscle Shoals and Memphis. The cited reason was the retirement of partner Mesaba's Saab 340 fleet. Under federal law, Delta Connection must continue service to Muscle Shoals until a replacement carrier is found. In 2011, Air Choice One ,

609-738: The omicron variant. He said "the timing was just poor" for the new routes but said, "We're still committed to Indianapolis." Contour Airlines announced that it had returned to pre-COVID numbers in Tupelo, having more than 12,000 boardings in 2022. This helps increase funds granted by the FAA to Tupelo Airport, up from $ 150,000 to $ 1,000,000. On April 20, 2023, the Department of Transportation approved Contour Airlines' bid to replace Cape Air at Veterans Airport of Southern Illinois in Marion, Illinois . Contour will connect

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638-488: The proposal, the airline was planning to begin flights in as little as 30 days. This airline never commenced service to Muscle Shoals. Eastern Airlines stopped at Muscle Shoals from 1947 to 1964. Southern Airways Douglas DC-9s flew nonstop to Atlanta and via Huntsville, and Southern Martin 4-0-4s flew to Memphis. Southern merged with North Central to form Republic, which continued at Muscle Shoals with DC-9-50s to Atlanta and with Convair 580s and Metroliners to Memphis. Republic

667-642: The twelve Owensboro flights per week to go to Chicago O'Hare International Airport instead of Charlotte, which the Department of Transportation approved on May 30, 2023. The service started on August 1, 2023. In early 2024, regional carrier SkyWest Airlines purchased a 25% ownership stake in Contour Airlines to gain access to its infrastructure, personnel, and operational expertise as it launches its own Part 135 operation, SkyWest Charter. SkyWest also plans to supply Contour with CRJ200 aircraft and partner with

696-685: Was acquired by Northwest Airlines which ended jet flights to Atlanta but started Northwest Airlink service to Memphis with Jetstream 31s. Northwest Airlink replaced the Jetstreams with larger Saab 340s before all service ended. Beginning in October 2012, Muscle Shoals was served by Silver Airways with two daily flights to Atlanta. Due to constant delays and cancellations, ridership declined to about 3 passengers per day under Silver, below EAS guidelines. Silver ended service to Muscle Shoals in October 2014. SeaPort Airlines announced it would take Silver's place in

725-582: Was acquired by Northwest Airlines which ended jet flights to Atlanta but started Northwest Airlink service to Memphis with Jetstream 31s. Northwest Airlink replaced the Jetstreams with larger Saab 340s before all service ended. Beginning in October 2012, Muscle Shoals was served by Silver Airways with two daily flights to Atlanta. Due to constant delays and cancellations, ridership declined to about 3 passengers per day under Silver, below EAS guidelines. Silver ended service to Muscle Shoals in October 2014. SeaPort Airlines announced it would take Silver's place in

754-548: Was established by its parent company Contour Aviation in 2016. Contour began service on March 22, 2016, completing its inaugural flight from Nashville to Tupelo, Mississippi. Since then, Contour has expanded to 20 destinations nationwide, focusing on providing key business and leisure markets previously underserved with nonstop short-haul routes. On April 1, 2019, Contour retired its Jetstream 31/32 fleet and focused solely on ERJ-135/145 aircraft. On February 5, 2020, Contour Airlines announced that it would add Indianapolis as

783-530: Was originally part of Corporate Flight Management before the company restructured into what is now Contour Airlines. Contour currently employs nearly 200 pilots, all reporting to Greg Engel, the Chief Pilot. The company's flight dispatchers and flight coordinators who work in the Systems Operations Control Center (SOC) are not unionized. Unlike some larger airlines, Contour Airlines maintains

812-491: Was returned to civil control at the end of the war. Until summer 2009 Muscle Shoals was served from Northwest Airlines' hub in Memphis by Northwest Airlink (Mesaba Airlines turboprops). After Northwest was acquired by Delta Air Lines, service was transferred to Delta's hub in Atlanta. This has seen increased passenger numbers and less market leakage to nearby Huntsville Airport. Despite the increase in enplanements, on November 23, 2010, Delta announced that it would not re-apply for

841-403: Was taken over by the United States Army Air Forces , as a World War II pilot training military airfield. It was assigned to the AAF Flying Training Command, Southeast Training Center (later Eastern Flying Training Command) as a basic (stage 2) pilot training airfield. Pilot training at the airfield apparently ended on May 30, 1944, with the drawdown of AAFTC's pilot training program. The airfield

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