Video: Tupelo Has Had Enough With Seaport Airlines

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) –
Tupelo has had enough with Seaport Airlines.
Tonight the Tupelo Airport Authority voted to ask the Portland Oregon based carrier to send a notification to the Department of Transportation that it wants to terminate service at Tupelo Regional Airport. Since starting service here last October Seaport has a dramatic drop in the number in the people boarding the planes. There have been numerous flight delays and cancellations, which the airline has blamed on a nationwide pilot shortage. Airport Executive Director Cliff Nash says they want to find a carrier that can provide better connections to major carriers.
“The intent is try to get a mainline carrier, a branded carrier such that you can fly from Tupelo to Walla Walla Washington and go from here to make your connection at a hub, make the transfer and get to your destination,” he says “That air carrier or that airline is affiliated with an air carrier is what we hope to attract.”
Ty Robinson is vice chairman of the airport board.
“I think it’s a possibility, ” he hopes. “I’m on the board because I think there is a possibilty. You know we’re always looking at other ways and having other ideas of trying to get other air providers here. I think Tupelo’s a good location. I think if we have the right carrier and we have the right destination I think that it will work. We thought that would work with Seaport but unfortunately it just hasn’t turned out that well but we’re still looking,” Robinson explains.
Seaport came to Tupelo with high expectations following problems with the previous Tupelo provider Silver Airways. Tupelo is one of several airports in the state covered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service program.