"Fly The Shoals" for your next getaway!

Ready to book your next getaway? Take off right here in The Shoals! The Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) has big news for Shoals residents who are eager to explore new destinations! Beginning March 1st, MSL's new airline service, Contour Airlines, will offer commercial flights from Muscle Shoals to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. These direct flights to American Airlines' hub in Charlotte will not only bring economic growth to the area, but also provide locals with seamless access to cities all around the world like never before. On January 27th, the MSL Airport celebrated this achievement by hosting a press conference followed by exclusive tours of the 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135 aircraft that will be making 12-weekly roundtrip flights to Charlotte. Governor Kay Ivey, who on Thursday made her second trip to The Shoals in the past four months, gave remarks at the conference following her attendance at DURA Automotive's Grand Opening, which is also located in Muscle Shoals. "This advancement truly solidifies this community's place on the map," said Governor Ivey. Congressman Robert Aderholt, Barry Griffith, Director of Northwest Alabama Regional Airport, Matt Chaifetz, CEO of Contour Airlines, and Mayor Mike Lockhart all expressed their excitement for the partnership and eagerness for its launch. Jet service in The Shoals is made possible through funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program, which has been responsible for all previous commercial airline services that flew in and out of MSL. However. under the new contract with Contour Airlines, MSL now receives funds directly from the government, allowing MSL to pay the air carrier through a program known as Alternate EAS. Alternate EAS, a Pilot Program which allows for greater flexibility when recruiting air carriers, is a huge advancement for MSL as they now have the ability to recruit larger carriers who would not traditionally be eligible for EAS funding. Here at the Chamber, we are already dreaming of all our future travel destinations, as we are sure you now are too! Book your flight today on Contour’s website and support our community by Flying The Shoals!