Meridian Regional Airport sees increase in flights

The Meridian Regional Airport is soaring to new heights. No, the airplanes aren’t flying higher, but they’re flying more. There has been a 20 percent increase in the number of outgoing flights in 2017 compared to 2016.

“A couple of things happened during the year. First, through the beginning of June we had flights only to Dallas, two flights a day to Dallas. Then Skywest changed our schedule, so we now have one a day to Dallas and one a day to Chicago. The year as a whole has been really successful because of that.” said Tom Williams, President of Meridian Airport Authority.

Williams says the 20 percent rise in flights going out of the Meridian Regional Airport last year has less to do with the fact that there is an outgoing flight to Chicago now, but more to do with the fact that the region alone is responding more to going through a smaller airport, such as Meridian.

“Flying out of a small airport is the convenience. My parking spots are within about 30 feet of the front door. At a big airport, you’re going to be several hundred feet from the front door, and once you get through the door here the ticket counter is 50-60 feet from the door and then you’re on the airplane in another 100 feet.” Williams added.

Williams says you can’t overestimate the way you treat people and that while the airport reaps the benefits of being convenient and compact, the customer service is something they place an extra high value on.