FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 17, 2019) — On Jan. 8, the cities of Waynesville and St. Robert joined Contour Airlines at the Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport on Fort Leonard Wood to announce the new commercial jet service that will begin on Feb. 12.

The airport plays a large part in the region’s tourism industry, St. Robert Mayor George Lauritson said. With more than 150,000 visitors coming to the Fort Leonard Wood Region every year to attend military graduations, safe, fast, affordable flights into and out of the region are beneficial for the community.

“The Contour jet service will allow local community members and those visiting the region to do so comfortably, quickly, and safely. We’ve seen the demand for this type of service grow over the years and we are excited about the positive impact it will have on our regional economy,” Lauritson said.

The new service between Fort Leonard Wood and St. Louis will accommodate up to 30 passengers on each flight with a flight time of less than 30 minutes. The new service doubles the daily capacity of the current local air service. As a result, the cities, along with cooperation from their Fort Leonard Wood partners, will soon be making temporary modifications to the existing commercial terminal to accommodate the increase in service.

“We welcome jet service to our regional airport and are working for even more improvements in the future,” Waynesville Mayor Luge Hardman said.

The new jet service is an important quality of life improvement for the region and enhances Fort Leonard Wood’s mission by making official military travel to and from the installation more efficient, said Kent Thomas, Sustainable Ozark Partnership executive director.

Introductory fares start at $29 each way for tickets purchased before Jan. 22 and regular fares range from $39 to $99 each way. Currently, tickets can be purchased through Contour’s website at www.contourairlines.com or by calling Contour at 888.332.6686.