Meridian recommends ExpressJet

Meridian Mayor Percy Bland wants Georgia-based ExpressJet to become Meridian Regional Airport’s new air carrier. ExpressJet was one of two airlines to submit bids to become the carrier for the east-central airport. Now, it’s up to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Silver Airways announced in April it was leaving Meridian. The second bid was from Aerodynamics Inc., which offers service to Atlanta. The mayor says ExpressJet, whose airliners carry 50 passengers, will have flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, but the full schedule has not been finalized. ExpressJet is also Defense Department-approved carrier for military personnel, which could allow service members coming to Meridian Naval Air Station to fly into the city instead of Jackson. (Source: Associated Press 06/19/14)