travelers at Shenandoah Valley Airport board a plane

SkyWest Airlines Transition FAQs

On March 10, 2022, SkyWest Airlines filed a US Department of Transportation required notice to terminate air service in 29 cities, including SHD, due to an ongoing severe pilot shortage across the aviation industry. There is no immediate loss of airline service to the Shenandoah Valley Airport. This notice triggers the lengthy process to find an alternative airline to serve the region.

The following frequently asked questions have been drafted to assist our customers during this transition period and will be updated as new information becomes available.

Why is SkyWest Airlines terminating service at SHD?

SkyWest has filed the required US Department of Transportation notice to terminate air service at 29 cities across the country. This decision is a direct result of the ongoing severe pilot shortage in the aviation industry and not an indication of poor utilization of the service. Shenandoah Valley travelers have embraced the flights provided by SkyWest since they began service in 2018, repeatedly breaking new passenger records.

I’ve already purchased a ticket flying from SHD, will my flight be impacted?

Airline customers should be aware there are no immediate changes to flight schedules. SkyWest Airlines indicated they intend to continue to serve SHD until another suitable carrier is selected. Customers can expect to receive the same customer-friendly experience and reliable flights they have enjoyed for the past four years from SHD.

Reservations can continue to be made at www.united.com for at least the next 90 days. We should have a better idea of the transition timeline once bids are received from other airlines.

Who should I contact if I have specific questions about my flight?

All flight-specific questions should be directed to United.

www.United.com

Reservations and Flight Information
1.800.United.1 or 1.800.864.8331

Baggage Information
1.800.221.6903

Should I schedule a future flight?

Customers can continue to make reservations at www.united.com from SHD. SkyWest Airlines indicated they remain committed to serving our market during the transitional period. Should this change, customers with a current reservation will have the option to rebook at another United location or receive a refund.

It is important our community works together to continue to utilize the current SkyWest Airlines dba United Express service so SHD remains attractive to any new carrier.

Who will be the new carrier?

The replacement carrier has not yet been determined. SkyWest has filed the required US Department of Transportation notice to terminate air service at 29 cities across the country. This notice triggers the lengthy process to find an alternative airline to serve the Shenandoah Valley region. SkyWest has indicated they will continue to operate at SHD until a replacement carrier is found.

When will a new airline be selected?

The US Department of Transportation will be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new airline in the near future. This process can be lengthy. Airport management has initiated discussions to ensure our region retains access to the National Air Transportation System.

Is SHD a viable market for another airline?

The Shenandoah Valley is a growing market and despite the ongoing pandemic, passenger traffic has continued to grow, recently surpassing even pre-pandemic levels. We believe this market presents an excellent opportunity for a new carrier to continue to build on this momentum.

Is the airport closing?

No. This announcement will not affect any other tenants at Shenandoah Valley Airport. Private and corporate aircraft utilization of the Airport remains strong and is in no way connected to airline service.