Video: SeaPort Airlines Ready to Move Into Tupelo Market

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Beginning Monday, another airline tries to make a go at it in the Tupelo market. Representatives of Oregon-based Seaport Airlines are optimistic. And as WCBI’s Allie Martin tells us, the say it’s an example of why federal tax dollars are important to helping bring air service to smaller markets across the country.

Inside the main terminal at Tupelo Regional Airport, they are moving furniture in and sprucing up what will be the counter space for SeaPort Airlines. The airline will offer 12 round trip flights between Tupelo and Memphis and 18 flights between Tupelo and Nashville per week. The airline hopes cut rate fares will attract passengers.

“Thirty nine dollars each way.”

SeaPort is taking over for Silver Airways, which began Tupelo to Atlanta service two years ago, but was plagued with customer service issues and scheduling problems from the beginning. That prompted even loyal Tupelo Airport users to go to Memphis or Columbus for service. SeaPort spokesman Geoff Dale says the new carrier knows I must prove itself.

“First off, I can tell you that nobody can do regional air service like we can. We take people to rural areas from major hubs like nobody.”

The airline has been successful in other markets with its 9 passenger Cessna Caravan 208s. That’s what will serve Tupelo. Seaport has a two-year contract for two point five million dollars a year in federal incentives. Some observers have suggested those incentives should be eliminated as wasteful.

‘I believe so, I think that it’s here and it’s here for awhile. The only thing is I think it’s very important to have people like ourselves that are willing to work areas to make sure we make the enplanements so that way the airports are still viable throughout the country.”

SeaPort will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday. In Tupelo I’m Allie Martin WCBI News.
The 39 dollar fares will be good through the end of November.