Barkley Regional Airport (PAH) invites the community to once again share its voice as the airport evaluates potential future nonstop leisure air service to Florida and other popular beach destinations. This survey measures interest in potential limited-schedule leisure air service from Barkley Regional Airport by asking residents, families, businesses, and regional travelers which destinations they would be most likely to support.

This survey is a result of community participation from the air service study done in April 2025, which directly shaped Barkley Regional Airport’s commercial air service strategy and the selection of its newest Essential Air Service partner.

The Barkley Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors selected United Airlines, operated by SkyWest Airlines, in July 2025. Since service began in February 2026,  passenger demand has exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong regional support for convenient local air service.

Since current service is performing ahead of expectations and economic development is continuing across the four-state region, airport leadership believes the time is right to evaluate whether Barkley Regional Airport could support additional leisure-focused air service.

The survey is part of an ongoing effort by the Barkley Regional Airport Authority and the Louisville-based aviation consulting firm L.B. Schmidt & Associates, LLC to identify air service opportunities that best serve the region’s travel needs.

The goal is to pursue additional service in a way that complements, rather than competes with, its existing Essential Air Service partnership. A limited-schedule leisure route to a Florida or beach destination could provide residents with a convenient option for vacation travel while continuing to protect and support Barkley’s federally subsidized hub service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.

“The community played a pivotal role in our last air service survey, and that input helped guide one of the most important air service decisions Barkley has made in years,” said Dennis Rouleau, Executive Director of Barkley Regional Airport. “Now that our SkyWest-operated United Express service is off to a strong start, we want to build on that momentum and better understand what leisure destinations our region would genuinely support.”

As part of the study, the survey will gather information about household travel habits, airport preferences, preferred destinations, airline preferences, and the likelihood residents would use future low-cost nonstop service from Barkley Regional Airport. This information will help airport leadership and its consultant better understand regional travel demand and evaluate opportunities for future air service development.

The survey results create a stronger, data-driven case when speaking with airlines about future opportunities.

Rouleau added that the airport’s long-term strategy is to work within the confines of the Essential Air Service program while continuing to grow passenger traffic and make Barkley Regional Airport more attractive to both residents and airline partners. Stronger local usage helps airlines see that the region is ready to support additional frequency and routes when those opportunities become available.

“Every survey response helps us tell the region’s air service story more clearly,” Rouleau said. “If our community wants more options from Barkley, the best way to help is to participate, use the service we have, and show airlines that this region is ready to support smart, sustainable air service growth.”

In addition to completing the survey, residents, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to sign the voluntary Fly Barkley Pledge. The pledge is nonbinding and simply asks participants to consider Barkley Regional Airport first when making travel plans. The pledge is another valuable asset demonstrating community support to share with airlines evaluating future service opportunities.

All survey responses will remain confidential and will be reviewed only by the project’s consultant. Community participation is essential to ensure the study accurately reflects the region’s travel habits and preferences.

The survey will remain open through Monday, Aug. 24. Community members can participate in the survey by visiting FlyBarkley.com or by clicking here. Those interested can also sign the Fly Barkley Pledge to show their support for expanding local air service by clicking here.