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On Monday, regional US carrier Contour Airlines unveiled a strategic partnership with ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Spirit Airlines.
According to a press release from Contour Airlines, the move will open up new air service possibilities for underserved communities across the United States. This collaboration leverages Contour’s expertise as the nation’s second-largest Essential Air Service (EAS) carrier and Spirit’s ULCC model to deliver enhanced connectivity and affordable fares.
Additionally, it signals a targeted effort to bridge gaps in the national air transportation network while capitalizing on both carriers’ strengths.
Strengthening EAS Communities with Enhanced Connectivity
Smyrna, Tenn.-based Contour Airlines serves as a lifeline for smaller communities through its EAS operations. Serving 22 cities, Contour connects outposts like Altoona-Blair County Airport (AOO) in Pennsylvania, Taos Regional Airport (SKX) in New Mexico, and Kirksville Regional Airport (IRK) in Missouri to major hubs such as Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Nashville (BNA), Phoenix (PHX), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Operating a fleet of 34 regional jets—12 Bombardier CRJ-100/200s and 22 Embraer ERJ-135/145s—Contour maintains its EAS commitments under US Department of Transportation contracts, providing subsidized air service to these underserved markets.
Under the new partnership, Contour will continue its EAS routes and interline operations with United, American, and Alaska Airlines, connecting travelers to larger hubs. In addition, Contour will provide ground handling services in its EAS cities and market Spirit flights. This operational model aims to boost passenger traffic in these airports by combining Contour’s regional expertise with Spirit’s expansive network reach.
Contour president Ben Munson touts the partnership as a win for travelers in the small communities his airline serves.
“EAS communities no longer need to choose between national connectivity and low fares,” Munson said. “The combination of service from our two airlines is the best formula to grow passenger traffic in these underserved airports.”
Spirit’s Low-Cost Expansion into Underserved Markets
Spirit Airlines, fresh from emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March 2025 and with a new CEO at the helm, sees the partnership as a strategic opportunity to expand its footprint into new markets. Operating a fleet of 194 narrowbody Airbus aircraft to 91 destinations across the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Spirit is no stranger to the ULCC model.
The Dania Beach, Fla.-based airline plans to launch leisure-focused routes from select Contour EAS markets, presumably mirroring the successful strategies of competitors like Breeze Airways and Avelo Airlines. While specific route announcements aren’t expected before summer, the move suggests Spirit’s intent to tap into demand for affordable vacation travel from smaller communities.
John Kirby, Vice President of Network Planning at Spirit Airlines, emphasized the partnership’s potential.
“Our new partnership with Contour gives us an exciting opportunity to grow our network and explore low-cost entry into new markets that currently have limited service,” said Kirby.
In recent years, Spirit has been a target for acquisition, with failed attempts by JetBlue and Frontier. Spirit now drives its post-bankruptcy strategy by prioritizing high-value, low-cost service while exploring growth opportunities.
An Airbus is Not a Regional Jet
Founded in 2016 as the regional airline arm of Contour Aviation, Contour has grown from its roots as Corporate Flight Management, a private jet charter company established in 1982. Today, Contour Aviation is a multifaceted operation encompassing aircraft sales, maintenance, FBO services, and a robust Part 135 charter business.
Its EAS operations have made it a recognizable player in the regional aviation industry in the southeast US and beyond—meanwhile, Spirit’s 45-year history and recent financial restructuring position it to explore new market opportunities.
The Contour-Spirit partnership strategically tackles the ongoing challenge of balancing affordability and connectivity in underserved regions like Taos, Kirksville, and Altoona. By integrating Contour’s regional jet operations with Spirit’s leisure-focused ULCC model, the alliance aims to provide flexible, cost-effective travel options for communities previously overlooked by major carriers.
Skeptics question whether these markets can sustain the anticipated demand. There is, after all, quite a difference between a 30-seat regional seat and a 182-seat Airbus A320. Can Taos, with its 6,400 residents, fill multiple weekly Airbus flights to Las Vegas? Or will Beckley, West Virginia, population 16,600, support flights to Orlando? While these examples are hypothetical, of course, they highlight critical considerations for the partnership’s success.
This collaboration promises to be a compelling case study, and we will be closely monitoring its outcomes.
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