Airport Board Members Narrow Down Contenders For Air Service

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Several years ago, it looked like commercial air service might be a thing of the past for the Tupelo Regional Airport.  Dismal customer service from two air carriers had caused confidence among the flying public to plummet. Then Tennessee based Contour Airlines was awarded a contract to service the Tupelo market and things have improved. Now, that contract is nearing its end, and airport board members are looking at options for continued air service.

Every two years, members of the Tupelo Regional Airport Board re-evaluate airlines who want to fly out of Tupelo because The U.S. Department of Transportation subsidizes air service in Tupelo through the Essential Air Service program.

While six airlines submitted proposals recently, two are still in the running, Contour Airlines, the current carrier, and Boutique Air.

Cliff Nash is manager of the Tupelo Regional Airport.  While he doesn’t know which airline the board will choose, he does point out that Contour’s record and reliability have been positive for air travel out of the All America City.

“Contour has done a yeoman’s job, an outstanding job, regaining the public’s trust, they came in here, flight completions, on time rates, have been above , equal or above industry standards, have good fares and we have created a tremendous market between here and Nashville,” Nash said.

Airport board members have invited Contour and Boutique to make presentations.  The D.O.T.’s annual subsidy for Tupelo air service comes in at $4 million.

Representatives from Boutique Air will make their presentation Friday to the airport board.  Contour Airlines hasn’t set a date but its CEO has said in the past, they are looking forward to making their case for continued air service to Nashville.

Airport board members will choose one of the airlines, then that recommendation must be approved by the D.O.T.

Contour’s contract runs through March of next year and both airlines are offering service to Nashville.