WEST PADUCAH, Ky. (WSIL) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded SkyWest Airlines the Essential Air Service contract at Barkley Regional Airport.

SkyWest, operating as United Express, will begin flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport in February 2026 using a CRJ-200 aircraft.

Barkley Regional Airport Executive Director Dennis Rouleau praised Congressman Comer's support, saying, "Congressman Comer's support throughout this process has been invaluable to our community."

"Our proposal included both Chicago and Houston, and we have been assured by SkyWest that they will service both markets utilizing a CRJ-550 within the approved subsidy," Rouleau said. "We are working diligently to finalize these arrangements. We appreciate the DOT's decision and our partners' support

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