Mid Ohio Valley Regional Airport

Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (PKB) occupies a 1,400-acre site on the western edge of Wood County, West Virginia, roughly four miles northeast of Williamstown's downtown. The airport serves as the primary air gateway for the Mid-Ohio Valley region, a tri-state area where West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania meet along the Ohio River. It handles a modest volume of commercial traffic—mostly daily flights to Charlotte Douglas International Airport—along with general aviation and occasional charter operations. The single terminal building is compact, functional, and deliberately unglamorous, designed for efficiency rather than architectural statements. What the airport lacks in size it makes up for in straightforwardness: parking is steps from the entrance, security lines are short, and the staff tend to greet passengers by name after a few visits.

Getting There

Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport sits at 100 Airport Road, Williamstown, WV 26187. From downtown Williamstown, the drive takes about ten minutes via WV-14 north and Airport Road east. From Marietta, Ohio—just across the river—the airport is a 15-minute trip across the Williamstown Bridge and up WV-14. The airport is roughly 1.5 hours from Charleston, West Virginia, and two hours from Columbus, Ohio, making it a viable alternative for travelers in southeast Ohio and northwest West Virginia.

Public transport options are limited. No bus or shuttle service connects the airport to Williamstown or Marietta on a regular schedule. Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft operate sporadically; availability depends on whether local drivers happen to be online. Taxis can be pre-booked from Marietta or Williamstown, but they may take 30 minutes or more to arrive. Most passengers drive themselves or arrange a drop-off. Parking at the airport is free—a rarity among US airports—and the lot sits directly in front of the terminal, less than a 100-yard walk. The lot has marked spaces for disabled passengers.

Cycling or walking to the airport is impractical: Airport Road has no sidewalks and carries moderately fast traffic. If you are being dropped off, plan for a short curb-side goodbye; the terminal is small enough that you will not need long.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is a single-story building with a check-in area, a security checkpoint, and a waiting room. On arrival, passengers walk directly from the gate to the baggage claim area, which consists of a single carousel next to the entrance. The entire process from landing to curbside rarely exceeds ten minutes.

Departing passengers enter through the main doors. The check-in counters are to the right; for commercial flights, Contour Airlines operates the counter, and it opens roughly two hours before each departure. Ticketing and bag drop are straightforward. The security checkpoint, staffed by TSA, has a single lane with a standard X-ray machine and metal detector. During the busiest times (Monday at 1 pm, Tuesday at 12 pm, Wednesday at 1 pm, Thursday at 6 pm), the line may extend into the lobby, but wait times rarely exceed 15 minutes. The TSA agents are known locally for being personable and efficient, and they will often help travelers who are uncertain about procedures.

Beyond security, the waiting area holds about 50 seats in rows facing the tarmac. There is no jet bridge—passengers walk across the tarmac to board the 30- to 50-seat Embraer or CRJ aircraft. In winter, dress warmly for the brief walk. The terminal has one restroom (wheelchair-accessible), a water fountain, and a small vending area with snacks and drinks. No restaurants, bars, or shops exist. Wi-Fi is available but can be slow; download any streaming content before arriving. Charging outlets are limited to a few wall sockets near the seats, so bringing a fully charged device is wise.

The terminal's wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park are clearly marked. The restroom and the entire building meet ADA standards. If you require wheelchair assistance, request it at check-in; the airline will coordinate.

Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport and Williamstown

Williamstown sits on the east bank of the Ohio River, directly across from Marietta, Ohio. The two towns share a history shaped by the river and the industries it enabled. Williamstown itself is small—just over 3,000 residents—but its position in the broader Mid-Ohio Valley region (population roughly 150,000) makes it a commercial and cultural center. The airport is the region's link to the national air network, and its limited schedule reflects the area's character: steady, unhurried, and built around local needs rather than tourist traffic.

The most famous attraction in Williamstown is the Fenton Art Glass Company, which operated here from 1905 until its closure in 2011. The Fenton Glass Factory once employed hundreds of artisans and produced decorative glassware sold worldwide. Today, the Fenton Gift Shop remains open, selling remaining inventory and glass from other regional makers. The factory's legacy is visible in the town's architecture and in the many small glass studios that still operate in the area. Visitors interested in glassmaking can also tour the nearby Blenko Glass Company in Milton, West Virginia, or the Morgantown Glass Museum.

Beyond glass, Williamstown offers access to the Ohio River recreational corridor. Bicycling and walking trails line the riverbank, and fishing is popular. The historic downtown district includes a few independent restaurants, an antique mall, and the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, which stages community theater productions. Marietta, just across the bridge, offers the Campus Martius Museum, the historic Ohio River Sternwheel Festival (September), and a charming brick-paved main street.

The region's economy is a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and education. West Virginia University at Parkersburg has a campus nearby. The airport's most frequent travelers are likely business commuters flying to Charlotte for connections, and residents visiting family or vacationing. The airport captures the region's self-reliance: it is not a glamorous departure point, but it works reliably for those who need it.

Practical Information

Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport is not open 24 hours. The terminal opens approximately two hours before the first scheduled departure and closes after the last arrival. Commercial flights are operated by Contour Airlines to Charlotte (CLT) with connections via American Airlines. Check the schedule on the airport's website (flymovra.com) as flight times vary seasonally. The airport's phone number is +1 304-464-5113; staff can answer basic questions about parking, facilities, and lost and found.

Parking: free, first-come, first-served. The lot is small; during busy times (e.g., Thursday at 6 pm), it may fill, but overflow parking is available on the grass shoulder. Allow an extra five minutes if arriving late.

Tips: Bring your own snacks and water, as the vending machines are limited. Use the restroom before you board; the aircraft's lavatory is small. If you have a layover in Charlotte, grab food there rather than at Williamsburg. For the traveler passing through, the key piece of advice is: arrive 45 minutes before boarding, not two hours. The airport is small enough that you can go from curb to gate in under ten minutes, and sitting in the waiting area without amenities for an hour is dull. Save that time for a coffee in Williamstown or a stroll along the riverfront instead.