WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker, along with U.S. Representative Travis Childers, today called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure at least three commercial roundtrip flights a day at Tupelo Regional Airport. 

The DOT is presently reviewing proposals for service to Tupelo under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program, and is expected to announce decisions related to this process in the near future.

In their letter to Ms. Susan Kurland, DOT Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, the lawmakers wrote: “As you know, the region has great potential for continued growth, and market analysis shows demand for higher frequency air service.  Action by the Department should not injure the local economy, hinder the region’s ability to maintain and expand the employment base, or limit the opportunity to attract new development.”

“We strongly support proposals that provide three un-tagged roundtrip flights per day flown with equipment comparable to that currently servicing the airport,” the letter added.  

The EAS program provides subsidies to enable certified air carriers to provide small- and medium-sized communities with adequate access to larger hubs for passenger travel, and it helps sustain regional commerce and economic growth.

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