Tupelo airport seeking new carrier

The Sixel Consulting Group has recommended SeaPort Airlines as the future air carrier for Tupelo Regional Airport. Dozens of business leaders met June 21 to discuss the airport’s options as current-carrier Silver Airways ends its federally subsidized service. Four airlines have offered to provide service. SeaPort is offering 30 round-trip flights a week: 12 to Memphis and 18 to Nashville on 9-passenger aircraft. Sun Air is scheduled to make a pitch June 30; SeaPort will be coming within the next two weeks; and an invitation has been extended to Air Choice One. Air Choice has four options, either 30 or 36 round trips, to Memphis and Nashville. Sun Air is offering 31 round trips between Tupelo and Memphis using 8-passenger planes. Tupelo has until July 9 to recommend its preferred carrier to the Department of Transportation. (Source: Northeast Daily Journal 06/21/14)