Leaders at the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport have plans to grow airport, increase passenger travel

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn.– After airport leaders met with local government officials including Jackson Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor A.J. Massey, they decided there was a need for an upgrade in the airplanes that passengers use at the McKellar-Sipes Regional Airport.

“We have been making do with smaller airlines but as everybody knows the economic landscape in West Tennessee is changing very rapidly and because of the small service we’ve had in the past, that’s not gonna work for our community anymore,” said Steve Smith, the Executive Director, for the Jackson-Madison County Airport Authority.

Right now they are looking at carriers of the Embraer 135 Jet, which has 30 seats. Two carrier options they are considering are Contour Airlines out of Smyrna, Tennessee and Denver Air out of Denver, Colorado. Smith says they would also allow travel to further places for not only expanding businesses in West Tennessee but also for residents.

“Now this gives our folks in the Jackson area the ability to go north or west,” said Smith.

Jackson is designated by the federal government as an essential air service city. This means the federal government will underwrite air service to the community. This is why the Greater Jackson Chamber has issued a survey to residents to gain support to show the need for larger aircraft.

“Well anytime you start looking at funding and funding from different sources, you have to show a need and you have to show that what we’re planning on doing is based on what the need actually is,” said Smith.

Smith added that in the future after the development of blueoval city, the larger aircraft will serve as a crucial way for the employees and more to travel.

A link to take the survey yourself can be found here.