Tupelo Regional Airport Airline Decision

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –  The Tupelo Airport Authority has opted to keep Contour Airlines after a vote that will also put more local control over the air service agreement.

The 4 to 1 vote asks Contour to pursue Alternate Essential Air Service, instead of the Essential Air Service program. Contour has provided service to Nashville for 18 months now.

Under the Alernate EAS program, subsidies come from the Department of Transportation, but it goes to the airport board, who will negotiate terms of the contract.

Also, with Alternate EAS, Contour will be able to fly a plane with more seats, increasing passenger boardings at the airport. The agreement could also mean more destinations.

“If we decided we wanted to go to Atlanta, we could, or if we want to go to Dallas, we could, but only within the constraints the amount of money the grant gives us,” said Jim Newman, vice chairman of the Tupelo Airport Authority.

“One of the biggest concerns I had is getting more of business traveler outside of Tupelo to come in, Alternate EAS provides that by adding extra seats, going to Nashville,” said Cliff Nash, executive director of the Tupelo Regional Airport.

It should take a couple of weeks for the DOT to approve the airport board’s request.   Currently, the DOT pays Contour $4.2 million each year to make 30 roundtrip flights weekly between Tupelo and Nashville.