Tupelo selects SeaPort airlines

In a 5-0 unanimous vote, the Tupelo (Miss.) Airport Authority recommended SeaPort Airlines to become the region's commercial air carrier. The board weighed proposals from both SeaPort and Air Choice One. Air Choice’s bid was more than $1 million more. SeaPort was offering 12 weekly round-trips to Memphis and 18 round-trips to Nashville for $2.5 million. Air Choice One’s proposal was 18 flights each to Memphis and Nashville for $3.5 million. But the board was swayed SeaPort’s service to 23 cities across nine states; and 21 aircraft. (Source Northeast Daily Journal 07/09/14) SeaPort’s goal is to be ready by October, subject to the Department of Transportation making an award announcement for subsidized service to Tupelo. A letter recommending SeaPort was sent to the DOT on Wednesday, the deadline for submitting comments.