Contour Airlines has announced that they will begin commercial flights at the Vernal Regional Airport starting February 1st. Contour Airlines is partnered with American Airlines and will provide the Uintah Basin with service to and from Phoenix, Arizona. Fares to Phoenix start from $59 one way when booked 21 days in advance. The current service at the Vernal Regional Airport provided by Skywest will continue until the transition with Contour Airlines. A fall press release explains that “the necessity to switch to another provider arose when Skywest Airlines disqualified itself from competing for a new contract, as determined by the Department of Transportation. Commercial flights to and from Vernal are subsidized by the FAA, with contract bids occurring every three years. Unfortunately, Skywest’s revised business approach failed to meet federal requirements despite several attempts.” Skywest’s years of service have been appreciated by Vernal City, Uintah County, and many in the community. To book airfare from the Vernal Regional Airport leading up to and after February 1st, visit www.flyvernal.com.
