Exec: New airline soon for Tupelo

A new commercial air carrier – to replace Silver Airways - may be available as soon as August for the Tupelo Regional Airport, its executive director speculated in a report April 15. Silver Airways previously announced it was ending air service at TRA; but by regulation, the airline must continue operations until a replacement is found. The U.S. Transportation Department is to issue a request for proposal within the next couple of weeks for interested airlines. The selected carrier gets an Essential Air Service program federal subsidy to provide service. According to TRA Executive Director Josh Abramson: If everything falls into place, the winning carrier could be selected as early as June, and operational by August. But, it depends on the selected airline, number of planes and pilots. (Source: Daily Journal, 04/15/14)