BECKLEY, W.Va. (AP) — Travel options out of Raleigh County Memorial Airport are expanding as Contour Airlines launches new direct flights to Myrtle Beach, giving southern West Virginia residents a new seasonal route to the coast.
The service, announced this week, will operate several times per week through the summer months. Airport officials say the addition marks one of the most requested destinations from local travelers, many of whom make the long drive to South Carolina each year for family vacations.
Contour representative Susan Skee, says early bookings are already strong, with interest coming from both leisure travelers and second‑home owners who frequent the Grand Strand. “This is a route the community has asked for repeatedly,” Skee said. “Seeing it finally take off is a major win for Raleigh County and the entire region.”
Contour Airlines has steadily expanded its presence in southern West Virginia since beginning service in the state, offering connections to larger hubs while adding convenience for rural communities. Local leaders say the Myrtle Beach route could help boost tourism in both directions — bringing more visitors into the New River Gorge region while giving residents an easier path to the Atlantic shoreline.
Economic development officials hope the success of the seasonal flights will encourage Contour to consider additional destinations in the future. For now, they say the new service represents growing momentum for the airport and a sign of increasing demand for regional air travel.
Tickets for the Myrtle Beach flights are available through Contour Airlines, with schedules and fare information posted on the company’s website. Contourairlines.com
