Golden Triangle Regional Airport Continues to Pursue Adding Westbound Flights
Hopes for a westbound flight from the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTRA) to Dallas with American Airlines remain high despite recent news by Tupelo Regional Airport (TRA) announcing a similar route addition. Matt Dowell, GTRA’s Executive Director, affirmed the airport’s commitment to pursue a westbound route, emphasizing local demand as the driving force behind this initiative.
TRA Announces New Route
TRA has recently announced that it will begin a new daily round-trip with Contour Airlines to Dallas in October, with the aim of connecting its business passengers with a central airport out west. This new route will replace one of the two daily flights to Nashville, acting on feedback received from the majority of businesses in Tupelo and their desire for a westbound hub.
GTRA’s Continued Push for Westbound Flights
In the light of this development, GTRA remains undeterred in its quest to offer a westbound route. He is optimistic about the potential for a westbound route, particularly given the area’s economic development and increasing travel demands.
The GTRA’s pursuit of a westbound flight has been in the works for the last decade, being momentarily stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s massive blow to the aviation industry. Their goal of realizing this project is to cater to business passengers who currently have to make a detour to Atlanta before heading to Dallas on a Delta flight. Dowell noted the airport’s desire to provide a more straightforward option that matches the direction local businesses wish to fly.
An Optimistic Future Despite Challenges
While an encouraging strain path was in sight pre-pandemic, the worldwide health crisis brought an array of issues to the forefront within airlines, namely shortages of staff, pilots, and planes. Dowell explained that the current focus is on moving past the recovery phase and into a period of growth not only for the airport but also the airlines they partner with. As the airline industry recovers, he is hopeful that a westbound route might be possible if the airlines find the capacity to add such additional routes.
“The good news is it does seem like some of those fronts are starting to ease as far as pilot shortages and mechanic shortages, things like that,” he said. With this slow but sure improvement, Dowell and his team at GTRA are committed to maintaining their relationship with American Airlines, in hopes of securing the desired route to Dallas.
Eye on Continued Growth
The Golden Triangle’s high economic growth rates will have a significant impact on the success of GTRA’s plans to offer new routes. According to Dowell, this growth is key to maintaining good air service and attracting airlines to grow with them. As local demand surges, these airlines see a profitable opportunity with the addition of more westbound flights.
In conclusion, despite burgeoning westbound services at neighboring airports, the Golden Triangle Regional Airport remains steadfast in its pursuit of providing a direct westbound flight to Dallas.
