Video: Seaport Airlines Optimistic About First Months of Service

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – An Oregon based airline has been flying in and out of the Tupelo Regional Airport for a little more than one month now. Airport officials are cautiously optimistic that the new carrier for the Tupelo market will be able to succeed.

It was late October when Seaport Airlines began service from Tupelo to Nashville and Memphis.Seaport came into Tupelo after Florida based Silver Airways announced it was ending its service to Tupelo and other southeastern cities.

“It’s been a relatively smooth transition.”

Joshua Abramson is executive director of the Tupelo Regional Airport and believes that Seaport Airlines can overcome negative perceptions left in the wake of Silver Airways, which was plagued with flight delays, website issues and other customer service problems.

The Department of Transportation selected Seaport Airlines to provide Essential Air Service to Tupelo, using a 9 passenger, Cessna Grand Caravan. Seaport has 18 nonstop round trips weekly to Nashville and 12 nonstop round trips weekly to Memphis.Seaport’s annual subsidy is 2 and a half million dollars.

During a recent open house, Seaport CEO Rob McKinney said the Tupelo service was off to a good start.

“Things have been going fantastic, the people of Tupelo have really embraced us.”

Numbers from November show that Seaport boarded 353 passengers in Tupelo. Last November, Silver Airways reported 543 boardings, but Silver Airways operated 28 seat Saab 340 turboprops.

“The boardings are pretty much on par with what we expect.We really anticipate and are pushing for a lot more of course and that just comes continued partnership between airline, airport and especially the community.”

And Seaport is ramping up its efforts to introduce the community to its service.This Thursday, the airline will host a reception for the community at the airport.

That reception for the community starts at 6 Thursday evening.