Contour Airlines to fly from Marion, IL to Chicago

MARION, Ill. (KBSI) – A new airline has landed at Veteran’s Airport in Marion, Illinois. Contour Airlines will be replacing Cape Air and giving passengers a faster flight to Chicago. 

Currently, Cape Air flies to St. Louis and Nashville, Tenn.

Contour Airline CEO Matt Chaifetz says the demand between Marion and the state’s largest city, Chicago, is what led him to propose a contract to Veterans’ Airport. 

“We will be flying twelve times per week from Marion to Chicago O’Hare, twice a day Monday through Friday and single round trip on Saturday and Sunday,” Chaifetz said. “That’s an important ingredient here that there’s a large amount of local traffic traveling between the two areas, and it certainly beats the five and a half hour Amtrak ride.” 

Veterans Airport director Doug Kimmel says this is an opportunity for residents in Chicago to see what southern Illinois has to offer. 

“It also opens us up from passengers in Northern Illinois that might come down to Southern Illinois and take advantage of the resources we have outdoor recreation and leisure, the wineries, the golf courses, all the national parks and forests.” Kimmel said. 

Contour Airlines will start with an introductory price of $59 from Marion to Chicago. Contour will start direct flights to Chicago starting August 1, 2023.